Auburn's running back situation seemed like the most settled group coming into the 2025 college football season, as the Tigers had Damari Alston, Jeremiah Cobb and Durell Robinson returning as veterans while Alvin Henderson and Omar Mabson stood out as freshmen who could contribute.
Halfway into the season, the running back room is less on firm soil, as Alston left the team following last week's loss to Georgia and Robinson has been out since Week 2 due to a thigh injury.
With six more games and hopefully a bowl game to play, Cobb is the go-to guy for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers in the backfield. But when it comes to his backup, who is it? Well, it is a player who should still be playing on Friday nights for Auburn High School, not in front of 90,000-plus on Saturdays in the SEC: Mabson.
“He’s fired up,” Freeze said. “Pass pro — he’s looked good. He’s physical enough to do it. It’s just when they get in all these different looks you get in third downs now with all the mug looks, he’s got to be on the same page with the O-line.
“He’s come a long, long way, and Justin (Jones) has done a good job also. But you’ve got to have that, for sure, because he’s a big part of that pass protection.”
Mabson decided to forgo his senior year and arrive early, with his efforts in the weight room and in practice paying dividends in the form of early playing time. Even as a young player, he has earned the respect of some veterans on the team, including quarterback Jackson Arnold.
“Omar had a great fall camp and really made a name for himself,” Arnold said. “I think he’s been ready since then, but obviously he’s sitting back learning and just learning the game, learning the offense. He’s ready to take that step up.”