Auburn Tigers News: Dillon Wade says offense is ready to go, Derrick Nix impressed by Jarquez Hunter
In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Dillon Wade believes it's a whole new offensive line from last season and Derrick Nix is impressed by Jarquez Hunter
After the 2023 Auburn football season, offensive lineman Dillon Wade switched from tackle to the guard position and the Tigers brought in new transfers to complete the switch. Though Wade impressed last year, offensive line coach Jake Thornton said the change is beneficial to the team but also to Wade in his journey to the NFL.
Wade's position change is not the only difference in this year's offense, as the new coaches and new schemes have fully changed the mindset of the o-line players.
"In my eyes, everyone seems more bought in," Wade said, per Auburn Undercover. "You know, at first, last year's camp seemed kinda a rushed process. This year, Freeze took his time, got the right pieces together and now it's a fundamentally efficient scoring machine."
Derrick Nix is impressed by Jarquez Hunter
Auburn football running back Jarquez Hunter is heading into his senior year on the Plains and has been mostly flying under the radar heading into the 2024 season. It's somewhat surprising, as Hunter's reputation precedes him, but it's more than his talent that has impressed the Tigers' new offensive coordinator Derrick Nix.
“Leadership, No. 1. Work ethic. The guy comes in in a good mood every day,” said Nix, per Auburn Rivals. “You know what you’re going to get. He comes in to punch a clock. He’s going to do extra. He’s going to practice hard, he’s going to run hard. He’s just trying to perfect it all, and he’s always trying to please.
“After every snap, he’s in a position of, ‘What can I do better? What can I improve on?’ I think that’s a quality to have for a guy that’s been a veteran.”
Hunter's value as a veteran on a team full of young guys cannot be understated, and sophomore running back Jeremiah Cobb attested to the benefits of working in a room full of talented guys earlier this week.
The Tigers' new-look offense featuring Dillon Wade and Jarquez Hunter will take the field on August 31.