Trevor Etienne — the University of Florida's lead running back for the past two seasons — sent shockwaves throughout the NCAA on Thursday when he announced that he's entering the transfer portal. Amid the 19 year old receiving backlash from Florida fans for his decision, Etienne's mother, Donnetta, took to social media to defend her son.
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In an X post from Thursday afternoon, Donnetta Etienne wrote, "We made the best decision for the "Etienne Family " That's it and that's all..#GodBless"
We made the best decision for the “Etienne Family “ That’s it and that’s all..#GodBless🙏🏽
— Donnetta Etienne (@DonnettaEtienne) December 7, 2023
Mrs. Etienne wasn't done there. After an anonymous X user (who's presumably a Florida fan) commented on her post, saying, "See, this makes me not even care that yall left. Everyone is replaceable. Loyalty is out the window now", Etienne quickly clapped back by writing, "I don't think you really cared we was there from the sound off of things".
Trevor's mother wasn't the only member of the Etienne family who believed it was time to get him out of Gainesville. Just last week, Etienne's older brother, Travis — former Clemson and current Jacksonville Jaguars star running back — told a reporter that he thought his younger brother wasn't a good fit for Florida and its head coach, Billy Napier.
Trevor Etienne going to the transfer portal might have been the worst kept secret in college football. Last week, #Jaguars RB Travis was telling me about how he felt his brother wasn't a good fit for Florida and Billy Napier. First two words that came to mind were "Uh, oh!"
— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) December 7, 2023
Regardless of why Etienne — who ran for 1,472 yards, 14 touchdowns, and averaged 5.9 yards per carry for the Gators during his two seasons there — ultimately decided to transfer from Florida, the bottom line is that he has; which adds him to a growing list of (former) Florida players who've entered the transfer portal after their team's disappointing 2023 season.
Considering that Florida went 5-7 this season (3-5 in the SEC) and has not had a winning season in three straight years, perhaps it's time for the program to make some changes. It's never a good sign that premiere players like Etienne, defensive linemen Chris McClellan and Will Norman, defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen, and wide receiver Caleb Douglas all decided to transfer out of Gainesville once Florida's season ended.
It's difficult to say whether head coach Bill Napier is the problem for Florida. Yet, when a football team fails to find success, it's usually the head coach who takes the blame. For that reason, it wouldn't be surprising if Napier is on the hot seat during 2024 — if he isn't already on it now.
Not that the Etienne family has to worry about that any longer.
