Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Etienne Comparison Sparks National Buzz Around Clemson Freshman Running Back Gideon Davidson’s Potential and NFL Future

When comparisons are drawn between a college freshman and one of the NFL’s rising stars, it often serves as both a compliment and a challenge. That’s exactly what’s happening in Clemson, South Carolina, where running back Gideon Davidson is already attracting attention thanks to whispers linking his skillset to Jacksonville Jaguars standout Travis Etienne — a fellow Clemson product who’s become one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons.

Davidson, a true freshman in 2025, hasn’t played a down of college football yet, but the buzz surrounding him is palpable. Recruiting analysts, coaches, and even former players have started to mention Etienne’s name in the same breath as Davidson’s, citing the incoming freshman’s elite acceleration, vision, and big-play ability. While Etienne left a storied legacy at Clemson from 2017 to 2020, Davidson is being tagged as a potential heir to that explosive tradition in the Tigers’ backfield.

The parallels are hard to ignore. Davidson, like Etienne, hails from a smaller football market — Etienne from Jennings, Louisiana, and Davidson originally from Lynchburg, Virginia, before transferring to Liberty Christian Academy. Both backs are known for their rare combination of speed and power, their ability to break a game open on any play, and their maturity beyond their years. Davidson, listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, brings a frame similar to what Etienne entered Clemson with, though scouts believe he may be more polished as a freshman than Etienne was.

Dabo Swinney, who coached Etienne and now gets to mold Davidson, hasn’t shied away from praising his new back. “Gideon is special,” Swinney said earlier this spring. “He’s got that same kind of burst and field vision that Travis had when he first got here. But he also brings his own style — a quiet confidence, a work ethic that’s off the charts. I think he’s got a chance to be one of the great ones.”

Davidson’s early enrollee status gave him a jumpstart, allowing him to participate in spring practices. Reports from those sessions only further fueled the comparison to Etienne. Davidson consistently flashed game-breaking speed, routinely beating linebackers to the edge and showing an innate feel for running between the tackles. Teammates raved about his footwork and balance. Coaches pointed to his film study habits and maturity.

Former Clemson running backs coach Tony Elliott, now head coach at Virginia, was instrumental in recruiting Etienne and saw both players up close during their respective recruitments. “Gideon reminds me a lot of Travis in how he carries himself,” Elliott said in a recent interview. “He doesn’t say a whole lot, but he works. He studies the game. He wants to be great. Travis didn’t come in as a five-star, but he left as the ACC’s all-time leading rusher. Gideon has all the tools to carve out his own path, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being mentioned in that same breath three years from now.”

While Etienne had to wait a few games into his freshman year before becoming Clemson’s lead back, there’s growing speculation that Davidson may have a more immediate impact. With Will Shipley departing for the NFL and Phil Mafah managing a heavier workload, Davidson could find himself splitting meaningful carries by midseason. The Tigers have one of the ACC’s toughest schedules, and Swinney has always shown a willingness to give the best players opportunities regardless of class.

Davidson’s high school career only adds fuel to the hype. As a senior at Liberty Christian, he rushed for over 1,800 yards and scored 26 touchdowns, earning first-team All-State honors. He also posted sub-11-second times in the 100-meter dash, a track pedigree that mirrors Etienne’s straight-line speed. Davidson’s explosiveness in the open field was often too much for high school defenses to handle. He became known not only for his breakaway runs but also for his willingness to lower his shoulder and finish plays physically.

Off the field, Davidson is as focused and grounded as they come. Those close to the Clemson program say he spends more time in the film room and weight room than just about any other freshman. He’s already embraced the “Clemson culture” that Etienne once thrived in, staying humble while soaking up knowledge from veterans like Mafah and junior Keith Adams Jr.

NFL scouts are watching, too. While it’s far too early to project Davidson’s draft stock, talent evaluators love to track players from programs like Clemson that have a strong history of producing NFL-ready backs. One AFC scout said, “It’s way early, but when you hear coaches compare a freshman to Travis Etienne, you take notice. Etienne was one of the most explosive backs in college football when he came out, and if Davidson shows that same ability in year one, he’ll be on every watchlist by his sophomore season.”

It’s not just the on-field traits drawing comparisons, either. Etienne was known for being soft-spoken, humble, and intensely focused — qualities Davidson seems to share. Both have cited their faith as a cornerstone of their lives, and both have drawn praise for their off-the-field maturity. “We always say character matters,” said Swinney. “Gideon’s got the character, the work ethic, and the talent. That’s a powerful combination.”

There’s also an emotional component for Clemson fans in seeing another potential superstar wear the No. 9 jersey — Etienne’s old number — which Davidson is reportedly eyeing as a tribute. Though the number hasn’t been officially assigned, the symbolism of that jersey on another electric back has already ignited fan excitement across social media. One Clemson supporter tweeted, “If Davidson wears #9 and starts busting 70-yard runs, we might just have Etienne 2.0 on our hands.”

Davidson has been careful not to feed into the comparison hype, remaining focused on what he can control. In media appearances, he’s deferred praise and emphasized team success over individual accolades. “I’ve heard the comparisons,” he said after a spring practice. “It’s a blessing to be mentioned alongside a player like Travis, but I’m just trying to be the best version of myself and help this team win. I know I’ve got a lot of work to do.”

That humility hasn’t gone unnoticed. Clemson fans remember how Etienne quietly built his legacy — starting as a raw speedster and evolving into the school’s all-time leading rusher. The hope is that Davidson, with the right development and patience, can achieve similar greatness. For a program that’s built much of its recent success on strong running games, having a talent like Davidson step in at the right time could be crucial to the Tigers’ ACC and playoff aspirations in 2025 and beyond.

Etienne, now a household name in the NFL, was recently asked about the comparison and offered a smile. “I’ve seen the kid’s highlights,” Etienne said. “He’s got juice. If he keeps working and stays humble, he’ll be just fine. Clemson knows how to bring the best out of guys like that.”

That endorsement alone is enough to make Tiger fans dream. After all, the last time Clemson had a freshman back with “juice,” he turned into an all-time great and a first-round NFL Draft pick. Whether Davidson follows that same trajectory remains to be seen, but the foundation is clearly there.

For now, the buzz will continue to build. Every carry, every cut, every flash of that next-level speed will be scrutinized and compared. That comes with the territory when your name is linked to a Clemson legend before your college career even kicks off. But if early signs are any indication, Gideon Davidson isn’t just riding the wave of hype — he’s paddling his own course, with Etienne’s legacy serving more as a compass than a shadow.

And that’s perhaps the most exciting part. Clemson may not be looking at the next Travis Etienne. It might be looking at the first Gideon Davidson.