SPORTS

Prattville's Kamryn Pettway competing at H-back

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn player and former Prattville High standout Kamryn Pettway.

AUBURN ---- Kamryn Pettway is boldly going where few others are willing to go and perform the dirty work necessary: H-back.

The Prattville native, who ran for 1,402 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior, is among three players taking reps at the backfield blocking role in Gus Malzahn's Hurry-Up, No-Huddle offense.

"It feels pretty natural playing H-back," Pettway said. "It feels like a running back, just blocking more."

Pettway and fellow redshirt freshman Chris Laye and true freshman Chandler Cox are splitting time at H-back and tight end to see who will replace Brandon Fulse and C.J. Uzomah.

"We're trying to double train those guys at H-back and tight end," Malzahn said. "Those three guys are primarily getting reps."

Pettway says he's "all right with not getting a lot of carries" at H-back, where Fulse had none last season.

"It's just whatever helps the team out," Pettway said.

At 6-foot and 245 pounds, Pettway offers Auburn a bigger body much like Jay Prosch did two years ago.

Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee both cited former Arkansas State H-back Eric Smith as an example of what they expect whoever wins the position this offseason to play like in the fall.

"He'd have his hand down some," Malzahn said of Smith, "so we'd try to double train him as much as we can."

Pettway believes his best skill is catching out of the backfield, something Auburn rarely did with its H-backs or running backs the past two seasons.

"I may be a little different because I'm probably a little bit more athletic than most H-backs," Pettway said. "It's nothing I ever had experience with, playing tight end, but if I have to play it, it's something I have to get used to."

The competition is a long way from over though, and could continue well into preseason camp.

"Chandler Cox and Kamryn Pettway, for the first day in pads, I don't know how well they executed but from a physicality standpoint, I was really pleased," Lashlee said on Saturday. "You've got all spring, all summer, all fall camp, I think those two guys are going to give us a chance.

"Kamryn is so athletic. For a big guy, he's very athletic. He's light on his feet. He's very physical and I think he's got a chance to really help us there. He's transitioning well so far."