Auburn Tigers News: Jerrin Thompson's leadership role, healthy competition in RB room

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Texas transfer Jerrin Thompson is leaning into a leadership role and Jeremiah Cobb explains the competition in the running backs room

Following the 2023 season, the Auburn football program lost quite a few members of its secondary, and it was one of the most important position groups to recruit during the offseason. Former Texas safety Jerrin Thompson was one of the earlier transfers to commit to the Tigers, announcing his pledge in early January.

With four years under his belt with the Longhorns, Thompson's talent wasn't the only thing he brought to the Plains. His prior experience made it easy for him to lean into a leadership role on his team, especially with the younger DBs in the group.

Thompson's teammates described him as a very vocal person, one that coaches everyone on every play and sets an example on and off the field.

"I take pride in that," Thompson said of being vocal, per The Montgomery Advertiser. "One thing that I feel like my strength is my instincts and my ability to communicate and make guys less stressed around me. I take a lot of pride in that. So just knowing that, communicating and knowing my teammates is one thing I’m big on and how I operate."

Jeremiah Cobb explains competition in the running backs room

Sophomore running back Jeremiah Cobb has had plenty of opportunities to hit the transfer portal since committing to the Tigers. Between the transition from Bryan Harsin to Hugh Freeze and the level of talent that surrounds Cobb in the position group, it would be easy to understand Cobb transferring in search of more playing time.

But even though it hasn't been easy to compete with the likes of senior Jarquez Hunter and junior Damari Alston, Cobb values the competition between the trio and says they are constantly pushing each other to get better.

“I’m glad I stuck with it. I’m glad to stick with coach Freeze and the guys in the running back room, and it’s definitely a big change in talent on every position,” Cobb said, per Auburn Live. “Defense, offense, everywhere.”