The Athletic: Why Georgia running back Trevor Etienne’s announcement of his candidacy for the 2025 NFL Draft is a setback for the Bulldogs

Georgia football has long been a powerhouse in the college football landscape. With a coaching staff led by Kirby Smart, a high-caliber program, and a well-established reputation for developing NFL-caliber talent, the Bulldogs continue to be a major force in both the SEC and nationally. However, like any successful program, Georgia is not immune to setbacks, and one such setback occurred when running back Trevor Etienne, a key figure in Georgia’s backfield, announced his candidacy for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Etienne’s decision to declare for the NFL Draft has significant ramifications for the Bulldogs, both in terms of their immediate roster and their long-term offensive plans. While it’s not unusual for talented players to leave college early in hopes of securing a professional career, the timing of Etienne’s decision, along with the impact it could have on Georgia’s running game, makes it particularly notable. In this article, we’ll explore why Etienne’s decision is a setback for Georgia football, analyzing his role in the offense, what his departure means for the Bulldogs’ 2025 season, and how Kirby Smart and his staff will respond to this challenge.

Trevor Etienne’s Impact on Georgia’s Offense

Before diving into the implications of Etienne’s departure, it’s essential to understand just how important he was to Georgia’s offense during his time in Athens. While Georgia has been known for its elite defenses and running back by committee approach, Etienne emerged as one of the key players in the team’s offensive scheme.

Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing in at 215 pounds, Etienne combines size, speed, and vision, making him a formidable weapon in the backfield. His ability to break tackles, find gaps, and maintain balance while navigating through defenses allowed him to make significant contributions as both a ball carrier and in the passing game. Etienne’s versatility made him a key cog in Georgia’s offensive machine, and his ability to execute in critical moments helped elevate the Bulldogs’ overall play on offense.

During his time at Georgia, Etienne established himself as a player who could take over games, especially in pivotal moments. Whether it was providing a spark in a close contest or running through the toughest SEC defenses, Etienne consistently proved himself as a reliable and dynamic running back. His performances had a direct impact on Georgia’s ability to control the clock, wear down opposing defenses, and set up the passing game for success.

Without Etienne in the backfield, Georgia’s offensive identity is now left with a hole that will be difficult to fill, at least in the short term.

The Setback to Georgia’s 2025 Season

Etienne’s decision to enter the 2025 NFL Draft leaves Georgia with a major void in its backfield for the upcoming season. While Georgia is known for having a deep roster, replacing a player of Etienne’s caliber is no small task.

Running back is one of the most critical positions on the field for any football team, and Georgia has relied on its running game to set the tone offensively. Losing Etienne means that the Bulldogs’ 2025 season could be impacted in several ways, particularly if the program’s depth at the position does not rise to the occasion. The following factors make Etienne’s departure especially challenging for Georgia:

1. Loss of Versatility and Explosiveness

Etienne’s ability to be a dual-threat in the running and passing game made him a unique player in Georgia’s offense. His presence allowed the Bulldogs to open up a variety of play designs, knowing that he could contribute in multiple ways. He was not only a powerful runner capable of grinding out tough yards, but he was also a reliable receiver out of the backfield, able to make plays on screen passes and quick outs.

Replacing this level of versatility and explosiveness will be difficult for Georgia. While the Bulldogs have other capable running backs on the roster, none have proven themselves to be quite as dynamic as Etienne in all facets of the game. This loss limits the offensive playbook, forcing offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to adjust his schemes around a less versatile group of backs, potentially making Georgia’s offense more predictable and less potent.

2. Depth Concerns

While Georgia has historically had a deep running back room, the departure of Etienne leaves a gap in experience that could affect the Bulldogs’ ability to execute at a high level. Georgia’s running back depth is one of the team’s defining traits, but after Etienne’s decision to enter the NFL Draft, it becomes clear that the Bulldogs will need to rely more heavily on untested or younger players.

Although Georgia does have some solid options to step into the starting role, such as Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards, neither has proven to be as consistently effective as Etienne. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance, but they have not yet demonstrated the ability to consistently carry the load for an entire season. The lack of a true “star” running back behind Etienne creates uncertainty, and the team may struggle to find the right combination to maintain its offensive success.

In addition, Georgia’s offensive line, while talented, will need to step up in a big way to help create holes and establish the running game. The Bulldogs will have to rely on their collective offensive line play and depth at running back to maintain their identity and offensive productivity without Etienne.

3. Recruiting Implications

Etienne’s early departure also sends a message to both current and future recruits. While Georgia continues to be a highly attractive destination for elite talent, the loss of a player like Etienne could make the program appear more vulnerable, especially in the running back position. In recruiting battles, top prospects are often looking for programs where they see immediate playing time opportunities. Etienne’s early declaration could make other recruits question whether Georgia can continue to develop top-tier running backs, as the Bulldogs now face the task of replacing a proven star.

Recruiting will play a critical role in Georgia’s ability to maintain its depth and quality at the running back position moving forward. If Smart and his staff can land a top-tier recruit for the 2025 class or develop the current players on the roster, Georgia could overcome this setback. However, this will be one of the major storylines for the Bulldogs’ recruitment efforts over the next few months.

How Kirby Smart Will Respond

As the head coach of Georgia, Kirby Smart has built the program into a perennial powerhouse, known for its stability, depth, and consistency. Smart’s ability to respond to adversity is one of his greatest strengths, and the loss of Etienne will undoubtedly test his coaching and leadership abilities. Fortunately for Georgia, Smart has been in similar situations before, and his success in overcoming challenges is a testament to his coaching acumen.

Here’s how Smart will likely approach the situation:

1. Player Development

Smart’s strength as a coach lies in his ability to develop talent. While Etienne’s departure leaves a big hole, Smart has a track record of turning talented but unproven players into key contributors. Georgia’s running back room is filled with potential, and Smart will likely focus on developing the next star in the backfield.

Both Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards have shown flashes of brilliance in limited roles, and with a full offseason to prepare and compete for the starting role, they could be poised for breakout seasons. Smart and his staff will work tirelessly to help these players refine their skills and ensure that the running game continues to be a force for the Bulldogs in 2025.

2. Scheme Adjustments

While the running back situation may be unsettled, Smart is known for being a flexible coach, willing to adjust his schemes based on the strengths of his players. If the Bulldogs are unable to replicate Etienne’s explosive playmaking in the running game, Smart may look to adjust his offensive scheme to take advantage of other strengths, such as a more pass-heavy approach or an emphasis on short-yardage passing plays to make up for the loss of a dynamic ball carrier.

3. Recruiting

In the long term, Smart will look to replenish Georgia’s running back depth through recruiting. With the Bulldogs continuing to attract some of the best talent in the country, Smart will likely make running back recruiting a top priority. Whether through high school recruits or the transfer portal, Smart will do everything he can to bring in a player who can contribute immediately and eventually fill the void left by Etienne.