Martell Pettaway Commits to Middle Tennessee State

Former West Virginia running back Martell Pettaway has decided to spend his final season of NCAA eligibility at Middle Tennessee State University.

I AM OFFICIALLY COMMITTED TO MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY‼️ @CoachStock @MT_FB @coachbeckles LETS GO BLUE RAIDERS!!!😈🦍 pic.twitter.com/v9FqYTScxc

— Martell Pettaway (@YeeaahhP) January 20, 2020

The running back played in four games for WVU this season before deciding to redshirt and preserve his final season of eligibility. Pettaway entered his name into the transfer portal on Dec. 16.

In 2019 Pettaway carried the ball 27 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Pettaway’s best time as a Mountaineer came as a junior in 2018 when he rushed for 623 yards and six touchdowns in 98 carries (6.4 yards per carry).

West Virginia’s backfield was crowded this season with Pettaway, fellow senior Kennedy McKoy, sophomore Leddie Brown and senior Alec Sinkfield. McKoy and Brown split the majority of carries throughout the season, even when Pettaway was active and healthy. McKoy finished the season with 107 carries for 367 yards and Brown had 99 carries for 323 yards.

West Virginia’s running game was dead last in the Big 12 with the team only rushing for 879 yards on the season.

MTSU rushed for 2,063 yards last season, with quarterback Asher O’Hara leading the way with 1,058 yards. The team had a trio of running backs split carries last season with Terelle West (39 carries, 290 yards), Chaton Mobley (52 carries, 208 yards) and Jayy McDonald (40 carries, 217 yards).

The Blue Raiders finished 2019 with a 4-8 record, going 3-5 in Conference USA. They open the 2020 season in Durham, NC against the Duke Blue Devils. Pettaway will make a return to the mountain state on Nov. 14 when MTSU faces Marshall University in Huntington, WV.