The Auburn Tigers plan on having a different approach at the running back position this season compared to years past.
As AL.com's Peter Rauterkus notes, there won't be a workhorse back like Jarquez Hunter was the past two seasons. Instead, likely RB1 Damari Alston will be splitting reps with Durell Robinson, Jeremiah Cobb, Omar Mabson II, and Alvin Henderson.
"Robinson and Mabson have been two of Auburn’s most impressive offensive players during camp, but the starting job feels like Alston’s to lose. Don’t expect him to be a bell cow like Jarquez Hunter was, though, as Robinson, Mabson and Cobb could all split carries," Rauterkus wrote.
Mabson and Robinson have rearranged the narrative at the running back position, outshining Henderson, an Alabama high school rushing record-holder, in camp. Mabson is a Keith Etheridge product at Auburn High School who reclassified from the 2026 class, making his early arrival even more shocking.
It's a good problem to have, all told. Hugh Freeze, Derrick Nix, and Kent Austin will have a rotation of four running backs and play the long game with Henderson; assuming he has the patience to on the Plains. If not, Mabson and Robinson have plenty of eligibility left, the Transfer Portal is a thing, and the 2026 recruiting class has plenty of room for a blue-chip back.
Freeze plans on being creative, if not a little chaotic, with his play-calling during the 2025 season. Nix is his first down guy, he'll take second downs, and Austin will handle third downs. Freeze also has the power to veto.
Oh, and he also isn't writing off using all three quarterbacks in a presumably close game against the Baylor Bears in Week 1.
What's a little chaos in the RB room? It's a brutal position that requires depth when you don't have a Terminator-like figure like Hunter, or Tank Bigsby before him.
There's worse news that's come out of Auburn than hearing every rusher who's showing out in camp get a chance when the games count.