What Auburn football’s offense looks like without Jarquez Hunter

The Auburn football program is riding a recruiting high into this football season, and fans hope that the upward momentum will translate onto the field in September. Though there are still questions to answer ahead of the 2023 season, things are looking up for the Tigers.

The offense is expected to look very different this year with new head coach Hugh Freeze and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery in control. The new staff has revamped the offensive line corps and reloaded the wide receiver room in addition to adding Payton Thorne into the mix for a competitive quarterback battle.

Plus, the Tigers are expecting running back Jarquez Hunter to have his best season yet. Right? Let’s hope so. Freeze and the rest of the staff have declined to comment on the Hunter situation all summer, stating that it is a university issue, not a football issue. Reports indicate that Hunter has been with the team for fall camp, but has not participated in practice.

With no word on when there may be an update, what does the Auburn football offense look like without Jarquez Hunter? Philip Montgomery said in a press conference earlier this week that a running back “by committee” scheme could be in the cards, per AL.com.

"“I think we’ve got a talented running back room,” Montgomery said. “Each one of them are bringing different things to the table.”"

Transfer Brian Battie is definitely the most experienced running back in the room excluding Hunter, but sophomore Damari Alston has been praised as a team leader and was the first running back to take snaps at last Thursday’s practice. Incoming freshman Jeremiah Cobb is already impressing coaches, too.

The bottom line is that losing Hunter for the season would be a massive blow to the Tigers, but there are plenty of talented, competent running backs behind him that can get the job done.