WVU’s Running Back Situation Moving Forward

When four-star running Lamy Constant verbally committed to WVU in November, the Mountaineers’ running back situation looked set for the foreseeable future. With Constant re-opening his recruitment Sunday, the running back position is a little murkier moving forward.

Returners

If no one enters their name into the transfer portal, WVU could have seven returning running backs on next year’s team. Among them, only sophomore Leddie Brown attempted more than 30 rushes this season.

Brown ran 107 times for 367 yards and one touchdown this season. He split carries with senior Kennedy McKoy who rushed 99 times for 323 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior Martell Pettaway played in the team’s first four games this season before deciding to redshirt and preserve a year of eligibility. Pettaway rushed 27 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Sophomore Alec Sinkfield primarily served as WVU’s return specialist this year but also ran 17 times for 41 yards. Freshman Tony Mathis (four rushes, 14 yards) and junior Lorenzo Dorr (two rushes, nine yards) also saw limited action.

Sophomore T.J. Kpan could also return.

2020 Recruits

Constant was West Virginia’s only committed running back this year, but WVU has other prospects with offers in the 2020 class.

Three-star running back Kenny Tracy has West Virginia as one of his final schools. The Indianapolis native also has Miami (Ohio), Temple and Toledo in his final four.

Blessed to announce my Final 4… My recruitment is still open but right now, i will be focusing on these schools! Again, thank you to all who have been willing to give me the opportunity to play at the next level! 💯🙏🏾🏈 pic.twitter.com/r8qhAbuiAn

— Kenny Tracy (@KennyTracy3) November 9, 2019

Four-star running back Jalen Berger from New Jersey also has WVU as one of his final schools. The other schools in his top 10 are  Michigan, Rutgers, Syracuse, Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Pitt, Oregon and Penn State.

Top 10!! (No Order)🤝 pic.twitter.com/ql4fVsr54J

— Jalen Berger (@JalenBerger) June 18, 2019

The top running back in West Virginia, JJ Daivs, re-committed from Toledo and re-opened his recruitment in November. Davis goes to Bluefield High School and is teammates with Sean Martin, the top recruit in West Virginia who recently committed to WVU.

🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀this was not an easy decision to make however, I have decided to announce my decommitted from the university of Toledo. I would like to thank the entire Toledo coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to become a member of their program

— JJ Davis (@jj_davis28) November 4, 2019

West Virginia also has offers to Jabari Small from Memphis, Tennessee, Tim Baldwin from Virginia, La’damian Weeb from Alabama and Quasean Holmes from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Update 12/6/19

Tim Baldwin has committed to Indiana.

Committed! #LEO pic.twitter.com/PZND5X5jLO

— Tim Baldwin Jr (@timgbaldwinjr) December 8, 2019