Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart compares Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter to former Georgia running back Nick Chubb.
Hunter has 65 carries for 437 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound senior is averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
“The dude, I don’t know if it’s the 27 thing, he reminds me so much of Nick Chubb,” said Kirby Smart. Hunter is a in his fourth season with Auburn, and he is a similar size to Nick Chubb, but he is simply not the bell cow running back that Chubb was at Georgia.
Nick Chubb posted legendary numbers during his time at Georgia. Chubb, who had one college season cut short due to a brutal leg injury, is the SEC’s second all-time leading rusher. Chubb finished his four year career at Georgia with 4,769 rushing yards and 52 total touchdowns. Chubb averaged over 100 yards per game in 47 career games.
Jarquez Hunter simply does not have that level of production, but he is one of the best backs in the SEC. Kirby Smart thinks there’s a lot to like about Hunter’s game.
“I mean, he’s got a straight line, and he’s so physical. People just bounce off of him,” added Smart. Hunter has 2,607 career rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns in four seasons at Auburn. His numbers don’t compare favorably to Nick Chubb’s but he has been very efficient throughout his college career.
“He’s just super physical, downhill,” continued Smart. “Like, he makes you not want to tackle him. He embarrassed us two years ago here, and then he had a really good game against us there. So, we think he’s one of the best backs in the country.”
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In 2023, Hunter rushed 19 times for 59 yards and scored a touchdown against Georgia. Hunter scored a long 62 yard receiving touchdown against UGA in 2022 and finished with 93 total yards on eight touches.