If you squint...Travis Etienne vs Wayne Gallman

Following Clemson's 31-14 win over Florida State, Dabo Swinney was asked about his true freshman running back Travis Etienne.

"He runs kind of like Wayne Gallman,” Swinney said. “He’s got that violence to it when he runs, but he’s faster.”

Swinney is correct in his assessment. Even comparing the photos of Gallman and Etienne in uniform can leave you scratching your head. 

The number 9. The piercing eyes just above an oversized mouth guard. Just look a the two photos we selected. 

The similarities came to light in the fourth quarter Saturday, but to get there we must turn back the clock.

Almost two years to the day, Clemson faced off with FSU in Death Valley. The Tigers led 16-13 and stood 25 yards from paydirt. Deshaun Watson gave the ball off to Gallman, wearing #9, who busted through several Seminole defenders and punched Clemson's ticket to Charlotte.

Fast forward to this past Saturday and a freshman running back named Travis Etienne. The Tigers led 17-14 and stood 30 yards from paydirt.  Kelly Bryant gave the ball off to Etienne, wearing #9, who busted through several Seminole defenders and put Clemson in position to punch their ticket to Charlotte.

After the game, Dabo Swinney said of Etienne, "He runs like his head is on fire," and Swinney is correct. Rarely have we seen the blend of speed and power from a running back at Clemson, much less a true freshman.

Take a moment and watch the video above to see the two runs side-by-side.

When you are done with that, dive into "Remember the Name: Travis Etienne getting better, and more popular, by the week" to find out more about Clemson's freshman running back.

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