Jarquez Hunter will be stepping into a key role for Auburn football in 2023 with the departure of Tank Bigsby to the NFL. Having amassed 257 rushing yards in his first two college games and then averaging seven yards per carry on nine rushes in his first Power Five matchup against Penn State in the White Out game, it wasn’t hard to project Hunter being someone who would make an impact in the RB room as long as he was on the Plains — but AL.com’s Nubyjas Wilborn took it a step further and projected a historic career for Hunter in orange and blue.
Could that be hyperbole? Based on what we’ve seen post-Bryan Harsin, not at all.
Hunter struggled along with Bigsby during many key Tigers losses the past two seasons, but the collective woes seemed to make it obvious the offensive line was the problem. But the RB room bouncing back big against Texas A&M, Western Kentucky, and Alabama showed that perhaps the problem was motivation. The Tigers got it from Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, but didn’t under the last coach. Because of that, Wilborn’s projection is far from impossible:
"“If Hunter is ready to elevate into a starring role, it will bode well for the Auburn offense seeking to bounce back from a losing season. Hunter has the tools to be the next elite back in the Tigers’ esteemed history of running backs. Auburn will count on him to show it each week in the SEC.”"
Auburn football will be improved in a key area to exalt Jarquez Hunter
With Hugh Freeze bringing in four projected starters across the offensive line in Avery Jones, Izavion Miller, Dillon Wade, and Gunner Brinton, Hunter will be even better protected than he’s ever been at the collegiate level. Not only will veteran upperclassmen talent from the Group of Five and JUCO ranks have him protected, but Freeze and Philip Montgomery figure to keep him active in the passing game.
Add in Cadillac remaining on staff and it only seems natural Hunter would build on the 243 rushing yards he amassed in the final two games to close out the 2022 season — perhaps en route to a historic final season or two on the Plains.