Jaguars select Travis Etienne at No. 25

Trevor Lawrence will start his NFL career alongside a familiar face in the Jacksonville Jaguars' backfield.

The Jaguars selected running back Travis Etienne out of Clemson 25th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Etienne posted a historic four-season college career with the Tigers, notching 6,107 scrimmage yards and 78 total touchdowns.

The two-time ACC Player of the Year was the second running back taken Thursday after the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted former Alabama star Najee Harris at No. 24.

Few believed the Jaguars would address the running back position early in the 2021 draft after James Robinson rushed for 1,070 yards (4.5 per carry) and seven touchdowns through 14 games as a rookie in 2020.

Etienne is the first runner Jacksonville has selected in the first round since Leonard Fournette in 2017.

Draft profile

Key stats: 914 rushing yards, 588 receiving yards, 16 TDs, 5.4 YPC

After an accomplished collegiate career, Etienne heads to the pros as one of the most dynamic skill-position players in his class. The ACC's all-time leading rusher is capable of scoring on every touch as a legitimate receiving weapon who possesses a unique burst. While he likely won't be a traditional running back due to his unpolished vision, Etienne can avoid tackles in the open field with his contact balance and quickness. NFL teams aren't going to hand the former Clemson star 20-plus carries per contest, but that's not his game. Give him the ball in space and reap the benefits.