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Spring practice is underway at Auburn, and it's time to preview another position group ahead of A-Day, which will take place on Saturday, April 12 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The next position group that we will examine in our spring breakdown series is the running backs , which will feature many fresh faces and some old ones. Head coach Hugh Freeze and the coaching staff will need to find a new feature back with Jarquez Hunter now off to the NFL. Hunter led the team with 1,201 yards and eight touchdowns. Auburn does return Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb from last year's team. Some newcomers are UConn Huskies transfer Durrell Robinson and incoming freshman Alvin Henderson.
It may be too much to ask for one player to replace the production of Hunter, but Alston and Cobb should be the early favorites to lead the way. Robinson should factor enter the rotation of backs, and the development of Henderson will be something to pay attention to.
"Running backs, I feel are going to be solid. I wish Durell (Robinson) was practicing, but it looks (Jeremiah) Cobb and Damari (Alston) were having a good day. We know that Alvin (Henderson) is very talented and he’s learning and coming on."
Here is a look at what the Auburn quarterback room looks like as spring practice continues on the Plains.
Alston is the most experienced Auburn running back on the roster. Over his career, backing up Jarquez Hunter, he showed flashes of being a productive running back. His best performance from 2024 was when he rushed for 80 yards on ten carries and scored one touchdown in a 45-19 win over New Mexico.
Robinson has had the most productive career as a running back at the college level compared to the rest of the backs. He was part of a group at UConn last season that totaled 2,590 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Huskies used three running backs along with Cam Edwards and Mel Brown. Due to being injured, Robinson will not get to position himself among the rotation.
Henderson broke AHSAA records while playing high school football for the Elba Tigers in 1A-Region 2. Over his career he rushed for 10,930 yards and 202 touchdowns. He averaged 195.2 yards per game and 13.4 yards per carry. In high school he was always one play away from a score. It will be an adjustment going from 1A football to the SEC.
Cobb showed in his first season on the plains that had big-play ability. In 2023, he rushed for a 42-yard touchdown against UMass in his first game as a Tiger. Also that season, he rushed for 69 yards against LSU. The numbers did decrease in 2024, but the ability is still there. He should factor into the running back battle that is currently between him and Alston.
Cole Gamble did not accumulate any statistics as a reserve running back during the 2024 season. He had an accomplished high school career before arriving in Auburn. During his senior season at Mountain Brook High School he rushed for 2,037 yards and 30 touchdowns. He was also a finalist for 6A Back of the Year.
Christian Burnette is another running back on the roster that did not receive any carries last season. He was an all-state running back at Faith Academy. During his high school career he rushed for 3,210 yards and 41 touchdowns. He was effective as a pass-catcher too. He caught 36 passes for 590 yards and three touchdowns.
Justin Jones is in his third year with the Tigers but he has received very little playing time. He did have a rushing touchdown in last year's A-Day Game. With Hunter gone, Jones could work his way up the depth chart.
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn running backs spring football preview
Continue reading...
The next position group that we will examine in our spring breakdown series is the running backs , which will feature many fresh faces and some old ones. Head coach Hugh Freeze and the coaching staff will need to find a new feature back with Jarquez Hunter now off to the NFL. Hunter led the team with 1,201 yards and eight touchdowns. Auburn does return Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb from last year's team. Some newcomers are UConn Huskies transfer Durrell Robinson and incoming freshman Alvin Henderson.
It may be too much to ask for one player to replace the production of Hunter, but Alston and Cobb should be the early favorites to lead the way. Robinson should factor enter the rotation of backs, and the development of Henderson will be something to pay attention to.
"Running backs, I feel are going to be solid. I wish Durell (Robinson) was practicing, but it looks (Jeremiah) Cobb and Damari (Alston) were having a good day. We know that Alvin (Henderson) is very talented and he’s learning and coming on."
Here is a look at what the Auburn quarterback room looks like as spring practice continues on the Plains.
No. 0 Damari Alston
- 2024 stats: 52 carries | 276 yards | 5.3 yards per carry | 3 touchdowns
- Career stats (Three seasons):130 carries | 681 yards | 5.2 yards per carry | 5 touchdowns
Alston is the most experienced Auburn running back on the roster. Over his career, backing up Jarquez Hunter, he showed flashes of being a productive running back. His best performance from 2024 was when he rushed for 80 yards on ten carries and scored one touchdown in a 45-19 win over New Mexico.
No. 21 Durell Robinson
- 2024 stats (UConn): 107 carries | 731 yards | 6.8 yards per carry | 8 touchdowns
- Career stats (two seasons Charlotte/UConn):147 carries | 897 yards | 6.1 yards per carry | 9 touchdowns
Robinson has had the most productive career as a running back at the college level compared to the rest of the backs. He was part of a group at UConn last season that totaled 2,590 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Huskies used three running backs along with Cam Edwards and Mel Brown. Due to being injured, Robinson will not get to position himself among the rotation.
No. 22 Alvin Henderson
- 2025 Recruiting Rankings (247Sports): 4-star RB | No. 15 RB | No. 14 player from Alabama
Henderson broke AHSAA records while playing high school football for the Elba Tigers in 1A-Region 2. Over his career he rushed for 10,930 yards and 202 touchdowns. He averaged 195.2 yards per game and 13.4 yards per carry. In high school he was always one play away from a score. It will be an adjustment going from 1A football to the SEC.
No. 23 Jeremiah Cobb
- 2024 stats: 29 carries | 142 yards | 4.9 yards per carry | 0 touchdowns
- Career stats (Two seasons): 62 carries | 314 yards | 5.1 yards per carry | 2 touchdowns
Cobb showed in his first season on the plains that had big-play ability. In 2023, he rushed for a 42-yard touchdown against UMass in his first game as a Tiger. Also that season, he rushed for 69 yards against LSU. The numbers did decrease in 2024, but the ability is still there. He should factor into the running back battle that is currently between him and Alston.
No. 25 Cole Gamble
- 2024 stats: N/A
- Career stats: N/A
Cole Gamble did not accumulate any statistics as a reserve running back during the 2024 season. He had an accomplished high school career before arriving in Auburn. During his senior season at Mountain Brook High School he rushed for 2,037 yards and 30 touchdowns. He was also a finalist for 6A Back of the Year.
No. 26 Christian Burnette
- 2024 stats: N/A
Christian Burnette is another running back on the roster that did not receive any carries last season. He was an all-state running back at Faith Academy. During his high school career he rushed for 3,210 yards and 41 touchdowns. He was effective as a pass-catcher too. He caught 36 passes for 590 yards and three touchdowns.
No. 35 Justin Jones
- 2024 stats: 1 carry | 5 yards
- Career stats (Three seasons): 5 carries | 57 yards | 11.4 yards per carry
Justin Jones is in his third year with the Tigers but he has received very little playing time. He did have a rushing touchdown in last year's A-Day Game. With Hunter gone, Jones could work his way up the depth chart.
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn running backs spring football preview
Continue reading...
