SUFFOLK, Va. — George Pettaway is frank and does not mince words, and so he was being honest and blunt when he said North Carolina was not atop his list of schools as of a few months ago. However, a strong push by the Tar Heels coaching staff, bonding with players and visiting the campus, turned the tide for the Top247 running back, who announced his college decision Wednesday evening at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.
“UNC, it was checking all the boxes from relationships to the offense, the facilities, the education side of it, the after-football aspect,” said Pettaway, whose return visit to Chapel Hill in June for the Carolina Cookout proved impactful. “But really, it was the relationship I built with the coaches, and everything they had to offer made my decision the way it is.”
Pettaway made the announcement live on CBSSports HQ. His other finalists were Penn State, Florida and Oregon, but it was not a simple decision.
“I know that from the get-go, the frontrunners were Florida and Penn State,” Pettaway said. “As I went to UNC more and was able to be around the people, you build that bond and understand what people are like, and why five-stars are committing there.”
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Pettaway is ranked the No. 7 running back and No. 98 player in North Carolina’s class of 2022. He is the ninth player rated with four stars or more in the Tar Heels’ 14-member class, and the second running back, joining four-star pledge Omarion Hampton.
A key part of Pettaway’s decision was the relationship he built with new running backs coach Larry Porter. Pettaway was close with former running backs coach Robert Gillespie, who is now at Alabama, but the change in personnel did not hurt the Tar Heels.
“I was vibing with coach Robert Gillespie real hard, but when coach Porter got there, he made me a priority,” Pettaway said. “Coach Robert Gillespie already made me one, but Coach Porter, every day, made it a real deal that we could do something special — he is kind of like me in a way. He has the serious vibe to him. He is hard working.”
Pettaway’s belief in Tar Heels coach Mack Brown was also a significant factor in his decision.
“Coach Mack Brown is going to get the playmakers the ball,” Pettaway said. “He is going to scheme them well. It definitely sparks my eyes. He is a guy who is going push you, but he is also like a security blanket. He is going to make sure you are good regardless off the field. He really cares about you as a person, and not just a player.”
Pettaway — who rushed for 714 (13.7 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns in a four-game season for Nansemond-Suffolk this past spring, and is already up to 749 yards (17.4 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns this fall — was not deterred by early season talk that the Tar Heels’ offense was rebuilding after losing key playmakers from the 2020 team. And in watching on television as the Tar Heels dismantled Virginia on Saturday and ran for nearly 400 yards, he smiled.
“It is really just special what they can do against that kind of defense,” he said. “It is a very explosive offense.”
George Pettaway Scouting Notes: “Strong build with frame to carry 200-plus pounds. Electric runner with insane production. Averaged 14.2 yards per offensive touch in four spring games and 13.7 yards per carry. Scored touchdown every 3.6 touches. Explosive with burst and elite change of direction. Runs with patience and purpose with flexible hips and still head. Strong cut-back runner. Sets up blocks well. Runs through arm tackles. Tough to bring down on first contact. Gets through hole and beyond second level quickly. Threat catching ball on screens and swings passes. Has to continue to develop mass and strength throughout his frame to handle physical demands of position at college level. Has to continue developing ball-catching skills and route running down the field. Immediate impact player at elite level college program. Mid-level NFL draft potential.”
