Mack Brown explains George Pettaway's plans to redshirt 2023 season

Sophomore running back George Pettaway has opted to redshirt the 2023 college football season, and North Carolina head coach Mack Brown revealed his young back’s thought-process behind the decision.

“He wants to stay, he loves it here, but he wants to play,” Brown said during his weekly presser on Monday. “He and his father talked to coach [Larry] Porter, and I agree with it. Take your four games, you can play in the bowl game, and still redshirt.

“If he had said he wanted to keep playing, we’d have done that. He’ll work, he’ll practice, he’ll aim to compete in the spring and work to get more plays, which is totally fair with our running back situation.”

While Pettaway is planning to suit up for his elotted four games, as Brown noted, during the 2023 season he hasn’t seen the field or logged a single carry this season before the announcement was made on Monday.

Omarion Hampton, British Brooks and Caleb Hood have occupied the bulk of rushing attempts, while quarterback Drake Maye’s dual-threat ability wasn’t helping Pettaway’s chances to get on the field, either.

That’s not to say Pettaway doesn’t have the potential to carry the football on par with the three aforementioned backs as he produced 20 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman in 2022.

Coming out of high school, he was a promising four-star prospect out of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (VA). He was the No. 7 running back in the class and No. 132 player overall, per the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

For the time being, he’ll likely provide a solid practice body that can be used in scout team against UNC’s first-team defense. That works out for both parties, as Pettaway can continue to improve his skills while providing legitimate competition to his team’s starting defense in an effort to prepare them for that weekend’s game.

As Pettaway helps get his Tar Heels ready for Week 6 on the practice field, North Carolina will host ACC foe Syracuse this Saturday. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET live on ESPN as the Orange head to Chapel Hill as 8.5-point underdogs.

Pettaway isn’t likely to find himself on the field this weekend, or next against No. 17 Miami. But, Week 7 provides an opportunity for UNC to get the most out of its sophomore tailback, hosting the winless Virginia Cavaliers.