With 2024 recruit J’Marion Burnette’s Auburn football commitment official, Tigers running backs coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams was given his metaphorical flowers — with The War Rapport’s Ike Jones claiming that Cadillac just doesn’t miss.
Caddy really doesn't miss. https://t.co/rOEWP8ONmb
— Who??? (@TWRIkeJones) March 24, 2023
Burnette, the No. 153 overall recruit and No. 10 running back in the 2024 recruiting cycle, credited Williams for making him feel welcomed on the Plains.
“It’s because they make their recruits feel like family,” the Andalusia product told Auburn Undercover’s Christian Clemente. “It’s a great program, great coaching staff. Coach Caddy is amazing. He’s been going out of the way since Auburn first offered me a year ago. He’s just been keeping up with me nonstop.”
J’Marion Burnette joins Auburn football RB room ‘that could offer immediate playing time’
Williams’ Auburn football running back ranks lost a valuable piece in Tank Bigsby to the NFL draft over the offseason, but added transfer running back Brian Battie from USF, Montgomery Catholic’s Jeremiah Cobb for the 2023 class, and now Burnette for the 2024 class. This is in addition to Jarquez Hunter, who ascends to the RB1 role under Hugh Freeze and Philip Montgomery, and Damari Alston, who showed promise during his freshman season in 2022.
According to CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee, Burnette is joining a Tigers RB room with immediate opportunity in 2024.
“Burnette will join a program that could offer immediate playing time,” Sallee wrote. “Rising junior running back Jarquez Hunter will be eligible for the NFL Draft following the 2023 season, which will be his first without former starter Tank Bigsby on the roster.”
Why every Auburn football RB should take a step forward in 2023
The Tigers should see a significant step forward from Hunter and Alston in 2023 given the vast improvements along the offensive line that Freeze has made through the transfer portal through the additions of East Carolina’s Avery Jones, Western Kentucky’s Gunner Britton, Tulsa’s Dillon Wade. That’s in addition to flips like Connor Lew, Izavion Miller, and Tyler Johnson for the 2023 high school cycle.
If Battie can maintain a semblance of his production at USF in a decreased role on the Plains, and Hunter and Alston do make leaps, Auburn’s offense should thrive regardless of what happens at quarterback.