Lions Re-Sign 1st Team All SEC RB
December 20, 2019 - National Arena League (NAL)
Columbus Lions News Release
The Columbus Lions have agreed to terms to resign former Auburn running back and first team All-SEC Kamryn Pettway.
Pettway joined the Lions last season and made an immediate impact. He scored four touchdowns on the ground for the Lions in seven games, but where he really shined was the passing game. Pettway caught six passes for 61 yards and a score. This production in space is what head coach Jason Gibson was excited about when bringing back Pettway. Gibson is high on Pettway's athleticism, calling him a "tremendous athlete" and said that they are "finding new ways to use" the former first team All-SEC running back. But more importantly, Gibson expressed that not only is Pettway an exceptional athlete, but a stand-up individual who is good for the community of Columbus and the Lions organization.
Pettway played high school football just two hours away in Prattville, Alabama. He would rack up 1,402 yards and 17 touchdowns to a modest recruit from Alabama. After receiving some interest from teams such as Georgia and Florida State, he would choose to come to The Plains to play for Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers.
After redshirting in 2014 and playing fullback for 12 games in 2015, Pettway finally had his breakout season in 2016. He would be Auburn's leading rusher with 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns. Pettway was named to the first team All-SEC squad and was part of the Auburn team that reached the 2018 Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Pettway would forgo his final year and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
Pettway would go undrafted and would later sign with the Minnesota Vikings in April 30th, 2018. He would be released days later. He would bounce around after that. Being an assistant coach at Auburn University to playing for the Columbus Lions previously and coaching local high school football at Park Crossing in Montgomery.
Pettway, with an offseason under his belt and a potential new role on offense, looks to spark a Lions offense that was second in the NAL last season in total offense (235.6 Yards/Game) but finished 4th in the league in scoring offense (46.1 PPG).
The Columbus Lions open the season Friday, April 17th at home against the defending NAL Champions the Jacksonville Sharks.
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