Embarrassment of Riches

Late in the fourth quarter against Louisville, Clemson’s fourth-string running back Travis Etienne got to get a couple carries in what some would call “garbage time.”

Etienne then cut an inside handoff to the outside and turned on the jets. After that, it was lights out for the Cardinals’ blackout as he outran defenders for an 81-yard touchdown. 

Watching this display of athleticism was college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who was the color analyst for the game of the day.

As number nine galloped down the sideline and into the end zone, Herbstreit was awestruck and exclaimed, “come on, an embarrassment of riches… an embarrassment.

“They warned us.”

A freshman being compared to the talents of Clemson greats such as C.J. Spiller and Sammy Watkins to be fourth-string on the depth chart is exactly how Herbstreit put it:

© Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

True Freshman Travis Etienne rips of an 81-yard touchdown against Louisville.

An embarrassment of riches.

That’s what Clemson’s program looks like right now with the depth of playmakers it has at so many skill positions.

Running back, quarterback, wide receiver. The list goes on.

The culture that has been built around Dabo Swinney’s empire is that players, no matter who they are, compete week-in and week-out for a chance to play on Saturdays. They have to earn it on the practice field and, most importantly, love to compete.

Co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said this when asked if it’s tough to keep Adam Choice and CJ Fuller engaged now that Tavien Feaster and Etienne are getting all of the love:

“Tony Elliott does a great job in his room. As a position coach, you’re kind of in charge of your room and the culture in your room,” Scott said. “C.J. and Adam, they can see the talent that they have. Everybody that comes to Clemson, they know that. Tee Higgins right now is third-team 9-man. He’s one of if not the best receiver in the country last year. These guys know when they come to Clemson that they’re going to be in a talented room.

“Each year we’re going to go out and continue to sign guys,” Scott continued. “I think those guys also know that they have a spot on this team. It’s a week-by-week deal. It’s a long season and those guys are very valuable and they know that.”

Herbstreit isn’t the only man that notices the wealth that the Tigers have in their pockets.

Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente also admires what Clemson has put together, this time on the defensive side of the ball.

“The size and power jumps out at you,” Fuente said describing Clemson’s defensive line on Monday. “They’ve got almost an embarrassment of riches over there on the defensive line. I mean, I know some of the guys that they’ve recruited and they’re not on the two-deep.”

Notice any recurring themes?

With notable 2018 commitments like Xavier Thomas and Trevor Lawrence being added to the piggy bank, Clemson shows no signs of slowing down.

The Tigers won’t be going broke any time soon.