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Transcript - Jaguars Running Back Travis Etienne Jr.: April 29, 2021

(On what sets him apart and makes him worthy of this pick) "Just my ability to make plays on the field. I feel I was successful and very consistent throughout my years here at Clemson. I feel my work speaks for itself, and my ceiling I feel like haven't reached where I'm able to get in my career, so I feel like I'm only getting better at this point. I feel like it was the best pick they could've made, honestly."

(On if he had an idea he might get to reunite with Trevor Lawrence and what that means) "I did have it in the back of my mind that I might have a chance to reunite with Trevor and just for it to come full circle, I'm just very happy, very excited, blessed, ready to get to work with Trevor. I feel like being his teammate for three years we've built that camaraderie. I don't have to work on getting to know somebody else; I know Trevor inside and out, so that's going to be a very great feeling just to know that he's a hard worker. I'm a hard worker and we're going out there for the same common goal. There's going to be great things to happen on that field."

(On how Coach Meyer has talked about using him in the offense) "Me and Coach Meyer talked about getting in the weight room and work from there. Basically, in the NFL, just being ready, being available, not being hurt so we've got to get in the weight room, bulk up and then we'll be ready for him to use me any way he chooses."

(On how much his improvement as a receiver led to him being a first-round pick) "Honestly, I feel like it contributed a lot. Especially with the way the game's going in the modern day era at the running back position, you've got to be a three-down back and those check-down runs really go a long way. I feel that that has really helped me really solidify my pick in the first round. I feel like working on that with Trevor throughout the first three seasons really helped me get to where I'm at today."

(On how much he needed to be a bigger part of the passing game this season) "It was definitely a huge emphasis just knowing that we were missing guys like Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross, two guys really great at what they do. I feel like it was a big emphasis, just get me the ball out in space, get me mismatches and stuff like that. It just worked out for me."

(On if he spoke to Trevor tonight and his reaction to getting picked by the Jaguars) "It was very crazy and I'm just excited. Trevor sent me a text and he was like, 'Let's go, man!' and 'Nobody but God,' and we're just ready to get together and keep on improving on what we have going on so far. We're really both excited to have a chance to keep playing with each other and just really a great blessing, and we're ready to get to work, honestly."

(On what kind of a leader Trevor is and if that will be able to translate into the NFL) "Trevor's style, the way that he leads, is definitely going to translate into the NFL. I feel like he's always cool, calm and collected. He can just take over a whole field anytime and he always has a demeanor about himself that gives you complete trust in him. I feel like he's definitely going to translate well into the NFL and he's going to be a great quarterback for many years to come."

(On if going to Clemson was the best decision he could've made and if it was the right decision to come back this season) "I feel like each decision I made was very meticulous, and I feel like I really put a lot of thought and effort and emphasis in every decision I've ever made in my life. I feel like those decisions — I couldn't have made better decisions with how they planned out, how things went and being where I'm at today. I'm very grateful and thankful that God placed the guys like Coach Elliott and Coach Swinney in my life, and I'm very grateful for the decision to come back. Clemson was the best four years of my life, and I'm just ready and excited to see what else is in store in Jacksonville."

(On if he was secretly rooting to come to Jacksonville) "Yes, I definitely was. When that 24th pick was there I was nervous, I didn't know where they were going to go with it, I was kind of nervous. I'm definitely very humbled and excited to be down there in Jacksonville, can't wait to get there. I've never been to Jacksonville, honestly, but I'm so excited and happy for the opportunity I have to get out there and to have Trevor there. I feel like he's going to make that transition much easier, and we're going to help each other a lot. I'm just really excited and can't wait to get there, honestly. I was secretly rooting for Jacksonville."

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