Introduction
Eno Benjamin and Travis Etienne are two of the most promising running backs in college football today. Both players have impressive stats and have gained attention from NFL scouts looking for talented players to draft.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Eno Benjamin and Travis Etienne, comparing their strengths and weaknesses to determine who is the better NFL prospect.
Eno Benjamin’s Background
Eno Benjamin is a running back for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He was born on May 20th, 1999, in Wylie, Texas. While in high school, Benjamin was considered one of the top running back prospects in the country.
During his freshman year at Arizona State, Benjamin was redshirted. However, in his sophomore year, he rushed for over 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2018.
Travis Etienne’s Background
Travis Etienne is a running back for the Clemson Tigers. He was born on January 26th, 1999, in Jennings, Louisiana. During his high school career, Etienne rushed for 8,651 yards and 115 touchdowns.
In his freshman year at Clemson, Etienne rushed for over 700 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2017. In his sophomore year, Etienne rushed for over 1,600 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was named the ACC Player of the Year in 2018.
Physical Attributes
When it comes to physical attributes, both Eno Benjamin and Travis Etienne are impressive. Benjamin is 5’10” and weighs around 210 pounds. Etienne is 5’10” and weighs around 200 pounds.
Both players have impressive speed, with Benjamin running a 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds and Etienne running it in 4.42 seconds. However, Etienne has the edge when it comes to explosiveness, with a vertical jump of 37.5 inches compared to Benjamin’s 39-inch vertical jump.
Running Style
Eno Benjamin is known for his powerful running style, often breaking tackles and gaining extra yards after contact. He has excellent vision and is able to find the right gaps to get through the defense.
Travis Etienne, on the other hand, is known for his speed and agility. He has excellent acceleration and can make quick cuts to avoid defenders.
Ball Handling
Both Eno Benjamin and Travis Etienne have excellent ball handling skills, rarely fumbling the ball. Benjamin had just four fumbles in his college career, while Etienne had six.
Receiving Ability
Eno Benjamin is an excellent receiver, with 82 receptions for 676 yards and 4 touchdowns in his college career. Travis Etienne is also a good receiver, with 37 receptions for 432 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Pass Protection
When it comes to pass protection, Travis Etienne has an edge over Eno Benjamin. Etienne is an excellent blocker and is able to pick up blitzing defenders, giving the quarterback more time to make a pass.
While Benjamin is still a good pass protector, he needs to work on his technique to become as effective as Etienne.
Overall Production
When it comes to overall production, both Eno Benjamin and Travis Etienne have impressive stats. Benjamin rushed for 2,867 yards and 27 touchdowns in his college career. Etienne rushed for 4,038 yards and 56 touchdowns in his college career.
However, it’s important to note that Etienne played for Clemson, one of the top teams in the country, while Benjamin played for Arizona State, a team that hasn’t had as much success. This means that Etienne may have had more opportunities to make big plays and put up impressive stats.
Conclusion
So, who is the better NFL prospect: Eno Benjamin or Travis Etienne? It’s a close call, but overall, Etienne has the edge. He has faster speed, better explosiveness, and is an excellent pass protector. However, that’s not to say that Benjamin isn’t a talented player – he has a powerful running style, excellent ball handling skills, and is a good receiver. Both players have the potential to be successful in the NFL.