Could Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway be the next LeGarrette Blount?

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recalled the former Oregon running back's name when discussing Pettway's draft stock during a pre-draft teleconference on Wednesday.

"I remember LeGarrette Blount went undrafted coming out of Oregon, and look at the kind of career he had," Kiper said. "Pettway will be interesting to see what happens with him."

There are natural parallels between the two running backs, of course.

Blount rushed for 1,003 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior at Oregon in 2008 before appearing in just three games as a senior the following season due to a suspension that stemmed from punches he threw following the Ducks' season opener against Boise State. Blount finished the 2009 season with 82 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns before going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Pettway, who at 6-foot, 235 pounds is built similarly to Blount, rushed for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore in 2016, when he led the SEC in rushing yards per game, and returned for his redshirt junior season -- which was ultimately disappointing. Pettway appeared in just five games, rushed for 305 yards and six touchdowns but missed most of the season due to suspension and injury.

"I don't know about flying under the radar; I don't think anybody right now would be in that category of a guy who could go and nobody's going to know much about," Kiper said. "I think if you look at the guys we talked about that are going to go early, and who could be the stars of this group (of Auburn players), I think Kamryn Pettway -- two years ago, last year he was talked about as an early-round pick and now he's a later-round possibility."

Kiper went on to imply that "if you know what you're getting with Pettway," then he could potentially carve out a career similar to Blount's. Over the last eight seasons, Blount has appeared in 116 games for four different NFL teams, rushing for 5,888 yards and 51 touchdowns while winning three Super Bowls -- two with the Patriots and then one this past season with the Eagles.

Pettway, who like Blount is facing questions about his character coming out of college, could be a Day 3 pick in the draft or sign with a team as an undrafted free agent next weekend.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.