Auburn Football: Offensive Depth Chart Projections – Running Back
Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Roc Thomas (9) carries the ball during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into the 2014 Auburn football season, one of the biggest question marks was the running back position.
Tre Mason set a school record with 1,816 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns and became a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2013, which propelled the Tigers to the SEC Championship and a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. But when Mason left for the NFL following his junior season, two unheralded seniors – Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant were left to compete for the top spot on the depth chart.
Though the pair combined for 1,257 rushing yards and 12 TDs as understudies to Mason the previous season, most fans and analysts questioned whether or not they would be able to replace Mason’s production.
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Of course, Artis-Payne emerged as the team’s primary ball carrier and led the SEC in rushing with 1,608 yards while Grant added 364 yards and three TDs. But, with both players graduating – as well as quarterback Nick Marshall, the team’s second leading rusher – the Tigers must replace a much larger percentage of their rushing yards from 2014 than they did the previous season.
In fact, receiver Ricardo Louis is the team’s leading returning rusher. He had 220 yards on 18 carries on jet sweeps – 75 of which came on one play.
Still, looking ahead to the 2015 season, there are fewer questions about the running backs the Tigers next season compared to last.
One reason for the increased optimism is that head coach Gus Malzahn has proven he can produce a top-notch rushing attack year in and year out. In nine years as a college coach, Malzahn has guided 12 1,000-yard rushers.
Another reason? This year’s group of running backs is more talented than the 2014 bunch that averaged 255.5 yards on the ground last season – second best in the SEC and 14th nationally.
Like, a lot more talented.
The biggest concern might be finding enough carries to keep everyone happy.
Next: Jovon Robinson