Florida running back Trevor Etienne has been a bright spot for Gator Nation since Billy Napier took over as Head Coach in November of 2021. The sophomore has rushed for 1,248 yards and 10 touchdowns across 21 collegiate games while primarily splitting carries with junior RB Montrell Johnson.
While Etienne has the ability to make a big play any time he touches the ball, he recognizes that his game is not perfect. The 5-9, 205 pound running back has struggled in pass protection throughout his career at Florida, allowing three sacks and seven pressures across 56 pass blocking snaps. As an undersized back with not much prior experience pass blocking in high school, Etienne realizes he needs to improve in this area to take his game to the next level.
“I mean I’d say very difficult being in the SEC,” Etienne said on pass protection at the collegiate level. “I’d say it’s a lot harder for me because I didn’t do it a lot in high school. So it’s not something that I came into college knowing how to do. We ran a split back [in high school], so we just give the ball and go every play, and we didn’t throw much. So coming into college, every linebacker is 240, 250 plus, and I’m 5-8, 200. It’s a lot more detailed now, you just have to stay focused and keep working at protecting your craft.”
The Gators’ staff has worked with Etienne on pass protection since he arrived in Gainesville, and he feels as if he has improved in some areas.
“Body position,” Etienne said on the strides he has made. “Learning that every time is not going to be a killer blow. You know just learning to sometimes absorb hits, you know just being able to utilize yourself and understand the opponent, that aspect, understand like are they going to bull rush, are they going to spin move, like what are their pass rushing techniques.”
Etienne has gone as far as reaching out to former NFL veterans for advice on how to better his pass protection technique.
“The guy I looked up to is Kevin Faulk and his pass protection,” Etienne said on Wednesday. “We were both a lot undersized, and he recruited me at LSU. He kind of talked to me on it a little bit and then I got to watch his film. I just asked him a few tips and techniques, you know, how can I get better and make myself better and more valuable as a player.”
Etienne also seeks advice from current teammate and running back Montrell Johnson.
“I’ve just been trying to tell him it’s all mentality really,” Johnson said on how he’s helped Etienne. “You just gotta go in there and just fix your hands, you know, get great body presence and that’s what it comes down to. We always talk about it, me, him and Coach Juluke. That’s what’s gonna take his game to another level, and we’re trying to get better with that.”
With passing becoming more relevant in the NFL, teams are looking for running backs that can not only catch out of the backfield, but efficient pass blockers.
“That’s just what the game has come to,” Etienne said. “To be a running back at the next level you have to know how to pass block, and that’s something I have to get better at, and will get better at.”
Etienne is just a sophomore, meaning he will have at least another full season to perfect his craft at the collegiate level.