This 4-star running back makes things official with Gators

Etienne is officially a Gator after signing his letter of intent.

One of the top players in Florida’s 2022 recruiting class inked his letter of intent on national signing day as four-star Jennings (Louisiana) running back Trevor Etienne is heading to Gainesville. He will bolster what is shaping up to be a very talented running back group in 2022.

Etienne, the No. 186 player in the nation and No. 14 running back per the 247Sports Composite, committed to the Gators during the All-American Bowl on Jan. 8 over offers from Clemson and LSU. He took an official visit on Jan. 14 and held firm on his commitment. Florida announced the addition of the 5-foot-9-inch, 218-pound player on Twitter.

Etienne is the younger brother of former Clemson star and first-round draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars Travis Etienne, but he chose the Gators over his brother’s former team and the in-state Tigers.

His pledge became even more important shortly after he signed, as fellow Louisiana running back prospect TreVonte’ Citizen — who many considered to be a Florida lean — picked Miami following a bit of fanfare.

Etienne is currently the only running back in the class, and he’ll join a running back room that features incumbent Nay’Quan Wright, two former five stars in Demarkcus Bowman and Lorenzo Lingard, as well as transfer Montrell Johnson (Louisiana’s second-leading rusher last season). It won’t be easy to break through in that group, but Etienne gives the team even more stability at what will clearly be a priority under new coach Billy Napier.

Florida’s 2022 class currently features 15 signees (three of which are already on campus and enrolled in spring classes), as well as one unsigned commit in Andrew Savaiinaea, a three-star edge rusher from the state of Washington. Savaiinaea was supposed to sign at 11:45 a.m. EST, but Florida is still awaiting his letter of intent.

Regardless, the class now ranks 19th in the country and ninth among SEC teams, according to 247Sports. Florida will hope for a few surprises later in the day to see a final boost to that.

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