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Auburn Football: Offensive Depth Chart Projections – Running Back

Nicholas Ian Allen
Nicholas Ian Allen

Fly War Eagle

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

Jovon Robinson

Speaking of talent, junior college transfer Jovon Robinson was ranked No. 1 overall in the 247Sports Composite and should compete for immediate playing time in the backfield.

Because he’s already on campus, has participated in bowl game practices, and will go through spring practice Robinson has a legitimate shot to become the Tigers’ primary ball carrier in 2015.

“The fact that he’ll have a spring under his belt to get with (running backs coach Tim) Horton, develop that relationship between a coach and a player, and (learn) the blocking scheme up front,” Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn said recently. “And then get with (strength coach Ryan) Russell, get his body in shape and all that.”

Listed at 6-foot and 235 pounds, Robinson is a bruising runner that has the ability to tote the football early and often next season. And he has the ability to not only replace Cameron Artis-Payne, but to emerge as one of the best players in college football.

A five-star prospect that originally signed with Tigers in 2013, Robinson put up huge numbers at Georgia Military College. Two years ago, he set a JUCO national record with 2,387 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns.

Last season, injuries limited the Memphis native to 811 yards and nine scores, and contributed to his weight gain. Expect Robinson to get down to around 225 pounds before the 2015 season opener – and expect him to shine all year long.

Next: Roc Thomas

Nov 22, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Roc Thomas (9) jumps over Samford Bulldogs defensive back Josh Kimberlin (10) on a run during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn won 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Roc Thomas

Of course, Jovon Robinson won’t just waltz in and take the top spot on the running back depth chart. He’ll have to beat out rising sophomore Roc Thomas, whom many project to be the favorite to win the starting role.

Thomas was also a five-star prospect coming out of high school and he made a case for early playing time as a true freshman despite the Tigers fielding an already crowded and experienced backfield.

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After sitting out the season opener against Arkansas, Thomas scored on his very first collegiate carry in the fourth quarter against San Jose State in Week 2. He played in 11 games, including two official starts.

Overall, the 5-foot-10, 193-pound Anniston, Alabama native rushed for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries (5.0 yards per carry) in his debut season with the Tigers. Thomas also caught six passes for 27 yards and contributed as a kick returner.

Of course, there were a few “freshman” moments, including fumbles against San Jose State and Alabama – the second of which was a backward pass he failed to cover that gave the Crimson Tide an immediate scoring opportunity in the 55-44 loss.

However, Thomas has elite talent and should be better in his second season on campus. An electric runner with top-notch agility and change of direction, Thomas could be the lightning to Robinson’s thunder in 2015.

Together the pair might even remind Auburn football fans of great Tigers duos like Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams or Bo Jackson and Brent Fullwood.

Lofty? Yes. But the two are simply that talented.

Next: Kerryon Johnson

Nov 22, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Corey Grant (20) dives for the goal line against the Samford Bulldogs during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn beat the Bulldogs 31-7. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Kerryon Johnson

By signing Kerryon Johnson earlier this month, the Auburn football team now has the last three Mr. Football award winners from the state of Alabama. Johnson earned the distinction as a senior at Madison Academy, following quarterback Jeremy Johnson and fellow running back Roc Thomas, who were honored in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

A 6-foot, 200-pound running back and defensive back in high school, Johnson was a consensus top-50 player nationally in the 2015 class and earned five-star status from ESPN.

In his last season at Madison Academy, Johnson ran for 1,659 yards and 25 touchdowns on 110 carries and caught 22 passes for 598 receiving yards and another eight scores. He also led the team to its third straight Class 3A State Championship, which the Mustangs won 70-34 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Johnson is one of the top players in this year’s Auburn recruiting class, and because of his special talent and unique skill set, he should play an immediate role.

“The last guy I saw with his skill-set that can do what he can do is Darren McFadden,” Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn said at his Signing Day press conference. “So he’s got the ability to run the read-zone back there. You can put out- split-out – and he can jump over just about anybody. He’s got a unique skill set.”

Malzahn coached McFadden – who was a two-time runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and the 4th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft – when he was the offensive coordinator at Arkansas. Comparing Johnson to McFadden is high praise to say the least.

Interestingly enough, Johnson also has the talent to contribute on defense for the Tigers. He had 71 tackles, six interceptions and forced five fumbles in 2014 and played safety in the Under Armour All-American Game. But he’ll play running back at Auburn, and will most likely be utilized in several areas including the slot and perhaps a little Wildcat quarterback as well.

Next: Peyton Barber

Sep 21, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Peyton Barber (25) is tackled by LSU Tigers linebacker D.J. Welter (31) in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Peyton Barber

Sophomore running back Peyton Barber would start for a lot of teams across the country – even a handful in the SEC – but he’s likely to be overshadowed at Auburn in 2015.

As a 5-foot-11, 225-pound redshirt freshman, Barber appeared in six games for the Tigers in 2014. The Alpharetta, Georgia native carried the ball just ten times but gained 54 yards last season, including a 10-yard run against Louisiana Tech and a 14-yarder against Arkansas.

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It was a very limited performance, but showed glimpses of why many believe Barber has the ability to do big things.

“Before you tackle him, you never know what he’s going to do,” safety Derrick Moncrief said during fall camp prior to last season. “He’ll juke you or he’ll run you over. You’ve just got to be ready for whatever with Peyton Barber. He’s a real special back.”

Still, Barber isn’t likely to win the starting job at running back in 2015, and Johnson has a more exciting overall skillset. Given the logjam at running back and the lack of depth at H-Back, it’s possible that Barber would see the field more as a sophomore if he changed positions.

However, a move like that isn’t likely anytime soon since Johnson won’t be on campus for spring practice and redshirt freshman Kamryn Pettway – the only other scholarship running back on the roster – is already a candidate to move to H-Back.

Therefore, Barber will have an opportunity to make his claim for an increased backfield role this spring.

Next: 2015 Auburn Recruiting Class Player Profiles

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Nicholas Ian Allen

Nicholas Ian Allen