MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia running back Martell Pettaway is in the NCAA transfer portal, a WVU spokesman confirmed on Monday.
Pettaway’s entry into the transfer portal was originally reported by 247 Sports.
Pettaway began the season as West Virginia’s No. 2 back, splitting time with fellow senior Kennedy McKoy. But with the Mountaineers’ running game stuck in a gear worse than neutral, he decided to sit out the remainder of the season following a 42-31 loss to Texas.
West Virginia finished 129th nationally in yards per carry this season.
At the time, WVU coach Neal Brown said the plan was for Pettaway to return to the Mountaineers next season. The situation looks to have changed in the two months that have followed.
Pettaway has rushed for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns in his West Virginia career.
Ironically, Pettaway is one of the players who the NCAA’s new redshirt rule was created to benefit. Pettaway played in three games his freshman season, which counted as a full year against his eligibility. In 2018 the NCAA passed legislation allowing players to suit up in as many as four games without it counting as a full season.
The 5-foot-9, 205-pound Pettaway is a Detroit native.
Pettaway’s pending departure underscores West Virginia’s need to land a running back in this year’s recruiting class.
It’s possible that his exit could be related to WVU’s expectation of signing a running back capable of competing for immediate playing time.
The early signing period is approaching on Wednesday, though West Virginia is unlikely to land a back until February.
The Mountaineers recently moved on from previous running back commitment Lamy Constant, but are in pursuit of Jones (Miss.) Junior College running back La’Damian Webb. However, Webb’s only official visits thus far have been to Ole Miss and Oklahoma State.