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Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze explains the No. 1 priority on offense

Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze explains what the top priority will be for the offense in the 2024 season.

By Mary Kate Hughes

Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) runs the ball during practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala., on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) runs the ball during practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala., on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. / Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze explains what the top priority will be for the offense in the 2024 season

After Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze did not bring in a transfer quarterback over the offseason, returning QB Payton Thorne has been the talk of the town. Though the quarterback hasn't changed, a lot of things around him have, including the offensive gameplan and Freeze's level of involvement.

There has been plenty of emphasis on the passing game, especially with the crew of wide receivers the Tigers brought in through the class of 2024 and the transfer portal, but the other half of the offense is getting significantly less attention. While improving the passing game is clearly important, Freeze said the cornerstone of the offense will be the run game.

"No. 1, we have to run the football," Freeze said of Auburn's offense in 2024 per Auburn Undercover. "We were pretty decent; I think third or fourth in the conference last year in rushing. I love our backs."

Freeze said he is confident in this year's run game for several reasons, including the fact that the Tigers returned plenty of experience offensive lineman this year and fortified the position group with transfers like Percy Lewis.

But there's also the fact that Auburn football's running backs room is locked and loaded. Leading the pack is Jarquez Hunter, who is arguably the best RB in the SEC heading into the 2024 season, followed by Damari Alston, who has received plenty of praise from Freeze and been called a vocal leader of the team. Sophomore Jeremiah Cobb made an early impact as a true freshman and is poised to impact the group again this year.

"I love our running back room," Freeze said. "I'm fine with nobody talking about them. I really am. But Jarquez and Damari and Cobb I think are three really, really good backs. Damari is kind of the leader of that group. But Jarquez is very quiet. I love that about him. He works his tail off. Damari, if you need something to be said to the team from that room, it would come from him, and people would listen."

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