Hugh Freeze Evaluates Auburn’s RB Group and Confidence in Replacing Jarquez Hunter
In 2024, Auburn’s rushing attack was largely carried by Jarquez Hunter, who rushed for 1,201 yards and eight touchdowns on 187 carries. No other running back on the team had more than 52 carries, with quarterback Payton Thorne coming in second with 112 rushing attempts.
With Hunter now in the NFL, having been selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2025 Draft, Auburn will need to find a way to replace his production. However, head coach Hugh Freeze expressed confidence in his current running back group during SEC Media Days, particularly senior Damari Alston.
Last season, Auburn ranked 12th in the SEC for total rushing yards (1,986 yards) and seventh in rush yards per game (165.5). Freeze noted that while Alston had been overshadowed by Hunter, he believes Alston is much more capable than people have given him credit for.
“Damari Alston is much better than any of us gave him credit for,” Freeze said. “He was just behind Jarquez [Hunter], who played a lot of snaps, so you didn’t get to see Damari’s full potential. I’m really excited about Jeremiah Cobb too—he’s got breakaway speed. We also have some talented young guys in Durell Robinson and Alvin Henderson. But I think Damari is the most complete player when it comes to pass protection, catching, and running. And I’m really high on Jeremiah [Cobb] as well.”
Damari Alston Steps Up as the Lead Back
Entering his fourth and final season at Auburn, Alston is now set to be the featured running back. The Atlanta native has accumulated 681 career rushing yards and five touchdowns on 130 carries. His standout performance came in the 2023 Iron Bowl loss to Alabama, where he rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Alongside Alston, Freeze is excited about the potential of junior Jeremiah Cobb, redshirt sophomore Durell Robinson, and freshman Alvin Henderson. Cobb has totaled 314 career rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Robinson had a strong season at Connecticut with 731 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. Henderson, a four-star recruit from Elba, Alabama, was ranked as the No. 16 running back in the Class of 2025.
The success of Auburn’s run game will be crucial for the Tigers in 2025, as they aim to break a five-year streak of seasons with six or fewer wins. Auburn will open the season on August 29 at Baylor with their revamped offense, led by Alston and Oklahoma transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold.
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