Prowling The Roster: #81 Earnest Pettway

#81 TE Earnest Pettway

Junior, 6'3" 245 lbs.

Long Beach, CA

2012 Stats: In 2013, Earnest Pettway was the fifth-leading receiver on the team by yards, with 111 receiving yards and 13 receptions. He caught two touchdowns as well.

Depth Chart Position: Pettway has firmly entrenched himself as the starting tight end by now. He's a big target and an athletic receiver that can cause match-up problems for defenses. While Morgan Craig will handle most opportunities that require an extra blocker at TE, Pettway will be on the field running routes and grabbing balls.

How He Came To Villanova: After receiving interest from a number of Pac-12 schools, the Long Beach Poly graduate picked Villanova. The big tight end also played basketball for Poly, which added to his athletic credentials.

Expected Output In 2013: With Norman White gone from the depth chart and John Robertson more comfortable with the offense, there should be more passes to go around this Fall. If that's the case, expect Pettway to be one beneficiary of that extra emphasis on the passing game. The tight end is an ideal redzone target and can use his athleticism to create offensive opportunities. While Jamal Abdur-Rahman is expected to be the biggest playmaker in the receiver corps, Pettway could make a case for that title as well if he can generate enough chemistry with Robertson.