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To regional and national observers, Travis Etienne can't get much hotter as a storyline entering 2019.

And for good reason.

He had a monster sophomore season. And he closed it with a grown-man showing against Alabama in the national championship game, certifying himself as a heavyweight back.

Closer to the program, the story is probably a bit different. Yes, optimism is high for Etienne entering his third -- and quite likely final -- season. But there's a feeling that he still needs to do more to maximize his potential as both a player and a leader.