National Signing Day is supposed to be about acquiring players who are the future of your program, but last year on the day, Auburn lost a big piece when JaTarvious Whitlow decided to enter the transfer portal.
Whitlow rushed for 1,550 yards over the last two seasons and his departure means Auburn will have a new leading rusher for the first time in two seasons. The competition to be that player is a battle between some talented but inexperienced players who will be forced to quickly adjust to college football with the Tigers playing an all SEC schedule.
Projected depth chart:
D.J. Williams (So.)
Tank Bigsby (Fr.)
Mark-Antony Richards (R-Fr.)
Shaun Shivers (Jr.)
Harold Joiner (So.)
Outlook:
While it is never ideal to lose a player of Whitlow’s caliber, running back was the position Auburn was best positioned to suffer the loss. Prior to his departure, Bigsby and Richards were expected to challenge for playing time in 2020 and Williams had already proven he was capable of handling the load when called upon, emerging as the teams No. 2 back as a freshman.
Despite not earning a carry in five of the Tigers’ first six games, Williams finished with 400 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 84 carries and should be seen as the slight favorite to be the starter. However, he will need to improve as back-to-back carries of 41 and 70 yards made up over 25% of his total yards and he struggled towards the end of the season, 3.3 yards per carry in the final four games.
Williams was also not a threat as a receiver, registering a catch in just two games for 32 yards. Using the backs in the passing game was not a key part of Gus Malzahn’s offense and it is hard to know just how capable Williams is, but new offensive coordinator Chad Morris puts an emphasis on it and whoever becomes the lead back will need to be capable of contributing in both the passing and rushing game.
Shivers has served as a great complimentary piece since arriving on campus – 5.3 yards per carry – and while his size may limit his workload (5-foot-7, 170 pounds) he will provide valuable experience and have a chance at a larger role while the younger backs continue to adjust to college football.
Joiner may be listed as a running back on the roster, but Auburn has yet to use him as a traditional back with him primarily serving as a receiving option.
The two biggest challengers to Williams are also the ones with the least experience in Bigsby and Richards.
Bigsby was the prize of the 2020 recruiting class and has the size (6-feet, 209 pounds) to become an every down back in the SEC and earn immediate playing time. He rushed for 1,636 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior and was described by Malzahn as a “one-play drive type of guy” who “has great balance, great instincts and can break tackles.”
Richards is now a year removed from a leg surgery that cost him his freshman year and has earned glowing reviews from his teammates.
“I’m very impressed with him,” said senior wide receiver Eli Stove, who overcame his own leg injury. “He’s going to be very good. Real good.”
“Mark-Antony is a baaad man,” Shaun Shivers said. “He looks real good out there. We’re finally getting him back out there and he just looks like a real dude. He’s playing fast and playing physical. Mark-Antony is going to be good.”
Richards has been compared to former Auburn star and 2017 SEC Offensive Player of the Year Kerryon Johnson. The comparison is lofty but fair as they have similar builds and running styles, are both threats in the passing game and can serve as a Wildcard option.
If this wasn’t enough to draw the comparison, they both wear No. 21.
Who emerges as the Tigers lead back will be something to watch throughout the remainder of camp and with so many talented options the Tigers may just wind up riding the hot hand throughout the season.