CBS Sports analyst makes bold prediction for Georgia running back Trevor Etienne

Georgia’s offseason addition of running back Trevor Etienne was seen as a major move.

And CBS Sports analyst Richard Johnson sees Etienne putting up massive numbers for the Bulldogs this season.

“Trevor Etienne will lead the nation in rushing behind one of the five best offensive lines in the country with an increased number of carries as a workhorse back,” Johnson said as part of an SEC predictions column. “Not even Oklahoma State star Ollie Gordon II will best UGA’s RB1.”

Gordon led the country in rushing last season, putting up 1,732 yards in 14 games for Oklahoma State. He won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back. Topping that would certainly qualify as a massive season for the Florida transfer.

Etienne has produced at an SEC level before, as he rushed for over 700 yards in each of the past two seasons at Florida.

But he came to Georgia in part to be a No. 1 running back. Georgia’s running back room, while talented, is also very young. Georgia will be relying heavily on Etienne to produce this season, and not just on game days.

“Trevor has done a really job of becoming a part of our team,” offensive lineman Dylan Fairchild said of Etienne. “He came into the room with open arms and we embraced him and he embraced us fully. His mentality every day. They’ve all got similar mentalities. They’re all attacking running backs. They’re not afraid of contact or hitting the hole or bad days. I think embracing each and us embracing Trevor and the return of Branson has been awesome. I’m really excited for him.”

Expectations are high for Etienne, but he does face some uncertainty to open the 2024 season. Etienne was arrested back in March and while some of those charges were dismissed, he still pled no contest to reckless driving and guilty to underage possession of alcohol, failure to maintain lane and a window tint violation.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has not yet said whether or not Etienne will be available for the season-opener against Clemson, electing to keep any possible suspension in-house.

Etienne’s brother Travis famously starred for Clemson, winning a national title as a member of the 2018 Clemson team.

In the event Etienne doesn’t play, Georgia would lean on Cash Jones, Nate Frazier and Branson Robinson. Redshirt freshman Roderick Robinson is dealing with a toe injury at the moment that has left his status for the Clemson game in question.

The game against Clemson is scheduled for a noon ET start, with ABC broadcasting the game.

Why Trevor Etienne is Georgia’s most important running back