DALLAS — Georgia defender Mykel Williams fielded questions Tuesday at SEC Media Days with his game face firmly in place.
But when tailback Trevor Etienne entered the conversation, the menacing pass rusher broke into the wide, knowing grin.
Asked what the Florida transfer brings the Bulldogs, Williams simply said, “Juice” — and laughed.
Etienne’s addition energized a program seeking some new playmakers on offense.
While his impact has yet to be felt on Saturdays in Athens, his departure was an offseason gut punch in Gainesville.
UF’s most explosive playmaker down the stretch could now be its biggest problem when the rivals meet Nov. 2 in Jacksonville to begin a season-ending gauntlet for the Gators.
“His ability to make a safety miss, take it all the way to the end zone — that’s huge,” quarterback Carson Beck said. “We don’t have to do as much when you have that type of big-play impact. Also out of the backfield receiving abilities, check it down, he’s going to go get 10, 15 [yar]s), be able to make a guy miss.
“Super excited to see what he’s able to.”

Etienne’s transition to a new school to hit a snag March 24 when he was arrested and jailed for DUI. The charges were dismissed last week as he pled no contest to reckless driving and underage possession of alcohol.
Four other Georgia players since have been arrested or cited for driving related issues, a continuing problem in Athens since the Jan. 15, 2023 fatal crash that killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.
“The incidents that we’ve had off the field are not something that that we condone,” Smart said Tuesday, according to the Athens Banner-Herald. “It’s very unfortunate — disappointing I guess is the best word.”
Etienne joins an attack that averaged 40.1 points in 2023 and returns the SEC’s top quarterback in Beck. But the Bulldogs also have major holes to fill, beginning with All-American tight end Brock Bowers who was able to line up in different spots, find space and make defenses pay.
The 5-foot-9, 205-pound Etienne possesses similar home-run ability and has been a quick study.

“It’s crazy because he can be here and be there in a second,” All-America safety Malaki Starks said. “Being out there this spring just watching him learn the offense, being able to still be who he is it’s just an incredible.”
Etienne’s footwork, vision and acceleration allowed him to shine behind the Gators’ leaky offensive line, highlighted by a three-game November stretch when he averaged 115.3 yards from scrimmage and scored six times during losses to Arkansas, LSU and Missouri.
At Georgia, Etienne will be able to maximize his abilities behind an offensive line returning four starters and considered the nation’s best. He also arrives as the Bulldogs push to replace 1,000-yard rusher Daijun Edwards and sidekick Kendall Milton, a duo that rushed for 1,893 yards and 27 touchdowns.
“He’s able to be patient in the hole before he hits the gap,” Williams said. “In the spring, he kind of surprised me with how patient he was. I really liked it.”

Etienne’s patience was tested during two seasons at Florida.
Operating in a two-tailback system at UF, he and Montrell Johnson Jr. rushed 1,628 yards and 13 touchdowns last year — 8 by Etienne on 21 fewer carries — during a 5-7 season.
Eager for more touches and wins, Etienne entered the transfer portal less than two weeks after making his first career start during a Nov. 25 loss to Florida State in the Swamp.
After two seasons wearing No. 7, Etienne assumed the No. 1 jersey at Georgia, the number Johnson dons with the Gators.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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