Clemson running back Travis Etienne is returning for his senior season, he announced Friday afternoon.

Etienne, a junior who has been a starter for three seasons, was widely expected to declare for the NFL draft. He wrote Friday on social media that he's "not done dreaming here at Clemson."

ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Etienne as the No. 4 draft-eligible running back for April's draft.

"I look forward to earning my degree from this great university and continuing to fight with my brothers on the team to make you proud during the 2020 season," Etienne wrote on Twitter.

Etienne's teammate A.J. Terrell, whom Kiper ranks as the No. 9 prospect among cornerbacks, announced Friday that he will enter the draft. Terrell had two interceptions, three pass breakups, 24 solo tackles and half a sack in 2019.

The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Etienne has eclipsed 1,600 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons. He has 4,038 career rushing yards and an ACC-record 56 touchdowns on 518 carries, to go with 567 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 54 receptions.

Etienne has helped Clemson to a national championship in 2018, three ACC championships and three College Football Playoff appearances. He was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back in 2018 and a semifinalist for the Doak Walker and the Maxwell Award as national player of the year in 2019.

He earned ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors in each of the past two seasons and earned second-team All-America honors in 2018 and 2019. He's the first Clemson player to record consecutive 1,500-yard rushing seasons.

Etienne will rejoin quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the offensive backfield for Clemson, which likely will enter the 2020 season as the nation's No. 1-ranked team. Wide receiver Tee Higgins is currently the only Clemson underclassman to declare for the NFL draft.

PASADENA, Calif. -- Chattanooga quarterback Nick Tiano threw for 135 yards and a touchdown and was selected the Most Valuable Player of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl after leading the National squad to a 30-20 victory over the American team Saturday.

Tiano, who was 8-of-10 passing, gave his team a 17-7 lead early in the second quarter with a pinpoint, 48-yard TD toss to Kirk Merritt. The Arkansas State receiver was in perfect position to haul it in despite double coverage from cornerbacks Ray Buford Jr. of New Mexico State and Damon Hayes of Rutgers.

Oregon State's Artavis Pierce, Georgia's Brian Herrien and New Mexico State's Jason Huntley rushed for touchdowns for the National team, which was led by former Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis.

Louisiana-Lafayette running back Raymond Calais provided the American squad's top play with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown on the opening play of the second half. Ohio quarterback Nathan Rourke of Ohio was 8-of-15 for 126 yards.

The American team, led by former Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson, scored first when Michigan State's Brian Lewerke found Arkansas State's Omar Bayless in single coverage for a 3-yard TD.

The National squad then scored on its next three possessions. Oregon State's Artavis Pierce tied it with a 3-yard touchdown, and Matt Ammendola of Oklahoma State kicked a 45-yard field goal to make it 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Herrien extended the American team's lead to 23-7 late in the second quarter on a 9-yard run. The score was set up when Iowa State linebacker Marcel Spears Jr. picked off Rourke's pass and returned it 35 yards to the American 9.

Following Calais' return, Huntley put the American squad back up by more than two scores with an 11-yard TD run. UCLA's JJ Molson kicked a pair of field goals -- from 34 and 42 yards -- to bring the American team within 10.

@texasag1969 said:

And like the post season bowls, many who declare early do not play in post season anything because of the fear of career ending injuries. Our A&M best defensive player declared early and did not play against that other OSU in the Texas Bowl. Thank goodness the defense dominated anyway after a quick 14 point giveaway by the offense.

Yes the bowl season and the private and school workouts have changed a lot of things in recent years.  Less interesting for the fans now.  https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2015027-how-significant-are-private-workouts-in-the-evaluation-process-of-nfl-teams

....... These sessions can be very telling, and the decision to either keep the player in the mix or drop him from the board can be made based on the results of that whole day.

The Benefits of a Private Workout

Like I said earlier, if the player is a possible premium-round draftee, the private workout will answer many questions.

I found private workouts to be very useful for potential later-round picks. Much like the workout of a premium-round guy, a later-round guy's session can be helpful in making a final decision. .......

@hoorta said:

None of the very top talents  show up for the post season  Bowl games  anymore  Gip. They know  they're going to be  drafted high, so why  risk getting  hurt? 

I watched  around 10 minutes  of the farce Bowl in Pasadena and nodded off for a nap. I'd be shocked if  there were 10,000 customers  watching the  festivities.  

One thing  that would  spice  things up a bit would be  if the Senior  Bowl wasn't restricted to  just seniors.  Let the guys who declared  for the draft  play- if they want to.  

And like the post season bowls, many who declare early do not play in post season anything because of the fear of career ending injuries. Our A&M best defensive player declared early and did not play against that other OSU in the Texas Bowl. Thank goodness the defense dominated anyway after a quick 14 point giveaway by the offense.

@the-gipper said:

Does not sound like the big names in college football compete in that East West Shrine  Game.

None of the very top talents  show up for the post season  Bowl games  anymore  Gip. They know  they're going to be  drafted high, so why  risk getting  hurt? 

I watched  around 10 minutes  of the farce Bowl in Pasadena and nodded off for a nap. I'd be shocked if  there were 10,000 customers  watching the  festivities.  

One thing  that would  spice  things up a bit would be  if the Senior  Bowl wasn't restricted to  just seniors.  Let the guys who declared  for the draft  play- if they want to.  

@the-gipper said:

Does not sound like the big names in college football compete in that East West Shrine  Game.

The Senior Bowl is the top of the hierarchy of the three games.  Plenty of OHIO STATE, Clemson, LSU, Alabama players of the 114 invites.

The 2020 Senior Bowl includes athletes from every level of college football. These are the best-of-the-best from around the country. Players will fill the 114 roster spots that form the North and South squads for the nation's premier all-star game. Check back often and follow us on Twitter @seniorbowl and #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE.

The East All-Stars defeated the West All-Stars 31-27 Saturday in the 2020 East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Charlotte running back Benny LeMay was named the offensive MVP with 80 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, including the game-winning score with 1:52 remaining. Illinois State safety Luther Kirk earned defensive MVP honors with the contest's only interception.

While the East-West Shrine Game is often viewed as a secondary All-Star showcase behind the Senior Bowl, many big-name NFL players used a strong Shrine Game performance to improve their draft stock.

Notable Stats

James Morgan, QB, FIU (East): 9-of-14 for 116 YDS, 1 TD

Benny LeMay, RB, Charlotte (East): 16 CAR for 80 YDS, 2 TD

Rico Dowdle, RB, South Carolina (East): 5 CAR for 50 YDS

Adrian Killins Jr., RB, UCF (East): 7 REC for 91 YDS

Malcolm Perry, WR, Navy (East): 1 CAR for 52 YDS, 1 TD

Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah (West): 6-of-8 for 47 YDS, 1 TD; 7 CAR for 45 YDS

James Robinson, RB, Illinois State (West): 7 CAR for 80 YDS, 1 TD; 2 REC for 56 YDS

Binjimen Victor, WR, Ohio State (West): 2 REC for 50 YDS, 1 TD  

LeMay, Robinson, Running Game Dominate East-West Shrine Game

In a contest that saw the teams combine for a Shrine Game record 853 total yards, it was the running game that took center stage Saturday.

It won't be easy for running backs from small schools to get noticed in a draft that includes Ohio State's J.K. Dobbins, Georgia's D'Andre Swift and Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor, but LeMay did his best to put himself on the map.

Along with a game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, the Charlotte product scored from 10 yards out in the first quarter, which underscored his ability to produce from start to finish:

@mld-woody said:

I love these all star games

You can see some interesting things like the relatively unknowns playing with a chip on each shoulder trying to make it to the next level.

Also some interesting one on one matchups.

@the-gipper said:

Better if you send me that cash!!

Are you coming into Denver that day, or leaving?

Leaving that day.

@the-gipper said:

Better if you send me that cash!!

Are you coming into Denver that day, or leaving?

ya send me some cash and i will give you the winners of tonights nba games

@texasag1969 said:

Sounds like a great trip!

Better if you send me that cash!!

Are you coming into Denver that day, or leaving?

@the-gipper said:

Well, I could skip a few hours of sleep if you want to finance me while I am there to spend a bit more time at the casinos/sports books. 

I have an itinerary while there that takes me out of there for the most part:    one day to the Castle Mtns. and the Mojave Preserve;  One day to the Tule Springs Fossil Beds and the Valley of Fire;  a couple of days to go to Death Valley, Manzanar, and then to stay a night at my brother's work place which is just north or Death Valley at a school there.  (he operates a ranch and has his own house on campus).  The day I get there will be Feb 2, which, besides being Groundhog Day, is also the day of the Super Bowl.    I have to drive the 300 miles from Sedona. Then I have to check into the place I will be staying, but then somehow, somewhere I will probably put a flutter on the game at a nearby sports book.  And then I have to decide where I want to watch it.  Either go home and relax at the unit, or stay at the casino.  Depends how I feel. 

Sounds like a great trip!

@texasag1969 said:

You actually sleep in Vegas???

Well, I could skip a few hours of sleep if you want to finance me while I am there to spend a bit more time at the casinos/sports books. 

I have an itinerary while there that takes me out of there for the most part:    one day to the Castle Mtns. and the Mojave Preserve;  One day to the Tule Springs Fossil Beds and the Valley of Fire;  a couple of days to go to Death Valley, Manzanar, and then to stay a night at my brother's work place which is just north or Death Valley at a school there.  (he operates a ranch and has his own house on campus).  The day I get there will be Feb 2, which, besides being Groundhog Day, is also the day of the Super Bowl.    I have to drive the 300 miles from Sedona. Then I have to check into the place I will be staying, but then somehow, somewhere I will probably put a flutter on the game at a nearby sports book.  And then I have to decide where I want to watch it.  Either go home and relax at the unit, or stay at the casino.  Depends how I feel. 

@the-gipper said:

Well, you are a bit late.   My flight arrives in Denver around  12:30 and then I leave for Vegas 1: 30.    But, I  may have  room.  It seems like the guy that I was going to be traveling with is 95% not going to make it because of health issues, including possibly necessary surgery.   I got 1 night in a 1BR condo in Vegas on the 25th.  Got a 2BR in Sedona from Jan. 26-Feb.2,  and a 1BR in Vegas from Feb.2-9.   How do you feel about sofa beds? 

You actually sleep in Vegas???

@texasag1969 said:

Hmm. Wonder if the wifey would mind going home alone. I like your plan better. LOL! Leaving on American to Dallas @ 3:44 pm. Look for a guy with a long maroon jacket with a 5 ft. brunet in tow. We always get there a couple of hours before takeoff and sit close to the gate.

Well, you are a bit late.   My flight arrives in Denver around  12:30 and then I leave for Vegal 1: 30.    But, I  may have  room.  It seems like the guy that I was going to be traveling with is 95% not going to make it because of health issues, including possibly necessary surgery.   I got 1 night in a 1BR condo in Vegas on the 25th.  Got a 2BR in Sedona from Jan. 26-Feb.2,  and a 1BR in Vegas from Feb.2-9.   How do you feel about sofa beds? 

@the-gipper said:

I will be changing planes in the Denver airport on the 25th.   Headed to LV. 

Hmm. Wonder if the wifey would mind going home alone. I like your plan better. LOL! Leaving on American to Dallas @ 3:44 pm. Look for a guy with a long maroon jacket with a 5 ft. brunet in tow. We always get there a couple of hours before takeoff and sit close to the gate.

@texasag1969 said:

Guess I will have to record those all-star games. Flying to and from Denver the 18th and 25th.

I will be changing planes in the Denver airport on the 25th.   Headed to LV. 

@mjp28 said:

2020 East-West Shrine + NFLPA Bowl + Senior Bowl highlights and player notes. NFL Network

Guess I will have to record those all-star games. Flying to and from Denver the 18th and 25th.