Auburn football inches closer to securing coveted 2022 RB

The Auburn football running backs room could be stacked heading into 2022 if head coach Bryan Harsin and the Tigers secure a commitment from class of 2022 RB George Pettaway. The Virginia native is highly sought after with upwards of 25 offers from mostly Power 5 schools, and so far has only narrowed his list down to ten.

Though Auburn was included in Pettaway’s top ten, Coach Harsin and the Tigers’ running backs coach, Cadillac Williams, will still have tough competition in securing the RB. The Tigers are the most recent to offer Pettaway, and sit alongside Alabama, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida, Ole Miss, Michigan, Oregon, North Carolina, and Penn State.

Pettaway told 247Sports that he would feel comfortable going to every school on his list, and that they have all made progress in his recruitment. He said the three schools he knows he will take official visits to are Florida, Michigan, and Penn State, though he has yet to schedule the UF visit.

The Tigers will face recruiting competition from in-state rival Alabama, whose running backs coach already has a strong relationship with Pettaway from his time at UNC. In addition, Pettaway holds both Virginia and Virginia Tech in high regard due to the fact that they are his in-state schools.

According to his 247Sports profile, Pettaway ended the 2020 season with 74 rush attempts, 666 rushing yards, and seven rushing touchdowns in addition to catching 14 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. His scouting report describes him as both speedy and strong with the ball:

"Electric with ball. Gets to top speed within several steps. Changes direction well. Knows how to set up blocks. Great body control. Has good vision and is patient. Has speed to finish runs. Is devastating in space. Asset in passing game. Runs through arm tackles. Battled injuries first two seasons of high school. Has to continue to add strength throughout frame to flourish in college. Multi-year starter at Top 10 program."

It won’t be easy for the Auburn football program to secure such a coveted recruit, but it’s not impossible, especially when the Tigers are producing powerhouse RBs like Tank Bigsby and Shaun Shivers. No word yet on the running back’s decision date, but hopefully, Bryan Harsin and Cadillac Williams can work their magic and bring Pettaway to the Plains.