It’s certainly no easy task replacing Jarquez Hunter – the fourth leading rusher in program history with 3,371 yards – who was the heart of the offense the last two seasons at Auburn.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
Auburn turns to a by-committee backfield
The Tigers will most certainly use a ‘by-committee’ approach, much like we have seen throughout preseason camp with Damari Alston, Jeremiah Cobb and UConn transfer Durrell Robinson – who averaged 6.8 yards per carry last season, which was good for 10th overall with backs who received at least 100 carries.
Key question marks entering camp
The group was one of Auburn’s biggest offseason question marks. Coaches knew the names but not the production they’d bring.
Cobb and Alston flashed in past seasons, but both waited behind Hunter. Neither has carried the load as the “bellcow.”
Robinson excelled at UConn. The uncertainty was whether his success could carry over against the tougher competition in the SEC.
Omar Mabson II, a freshman from Auburn High, enrolled early. He quickly impressed in camp, drawing comparisons to Hunter’s running style.
Mabson is still a freshman, as is Alvin Henderson. Both must adjust to the SEC’s physical toll on players.
Running backs impressing through camp
However, the group has been nothing short of impressive throughout camp.
“Damari is the most complete right now,” Freeze said. “Cobb, the most experienced. (They) have an understanding of who we are, what we do, what they’re supposed to do in the RPO game if it’s not given to them. I’m excited about Omar and Durell. Alvin is going to be fine. He’s been dinged up and hasn’t been able to get many reps the last four or five practices, so it’s hard to say much about that. But I think Damari and Cobb and Omar and Durrell are all getting better every practice.”
Jeremiah Cobb poised for breakout season
Freeze even went as far as to predict a breakout year for Cobb, who enters the season with 314 career rushing yards and two touchdowns – spending much of his time as a specialist on kick returns.
“I think he’s going to have a breakout year,” Freeze said. “We went through three or four days last week when all our slot guys were down so we threw him back out there like we did last year. He’s got a good football IQ and has that capacity for us to use him in a lot of different ways, whether that’s in the pass game. Now he’s struggling a little in the pass game because he still has that brace on his thumb, and catching is not real natural, but I think he gets out of that first of next week. He’s very versatile, we can use him in a lot of ways. I expect him to have a breakout year. He probably has the best burst in the open field of any that we have.”
Offensive line could be the key to success
Auburn’s offensive line could be the difference this fall. Hugh Freeze believes this group is in its best position since his arrival. Six players even received draftable grades from an NFL scout. If they pave the way for the running backs, pressure lifts off Jackson Arnold. That shift could finally spark the offensive improvement Auburn desperately needs.
Follow The War Rapport:
X (Twitter)
Instagram