Auburn Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 02: Kamryn Pettway #36 of the Auburn Tigers is tackled by Austin Roberts #95 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Starting running back: Kamryn Pettway
Backup: Kerryon Johnson

One of the nation’s top breakout running backs from last season is returning for his junior year in Auburn. Kamryn Pettway was a force to be reckoned with last year, accounting for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry. He didn’t reach the end zone as much as he would have liked, but he was a nightmare for defenses.

The redshirt junior had a chance to leave following the 2016 season and enter the 2017 NFL Draft, but he decided against it and gave up a likely 2-3 round selection. The decision was because he said he had “unfinished business” at Auburn.

Standing just 6-foot-0 and 240 pounds, Pettway is an absolute load to handle as a defender. Trying to take him down in the open field is basically a death sentence. He’s not the fastest guy on the field, but he has the ability to put up big numbers, recording four straight 150-plus yard performances in a row before an injury forced him to miss two games.

Seven of the nine games he played in 2016 yielded 100-yard performances.

Backing him up in 2017 will be junior Kerryon Johnson who is considered more of a speed back than Pettway. He stands 6-foot-0 and is about 30 pounds lighter. He finished with 895 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, averaging 4.9 yards per touch.

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