Jeremiah Cobb – Syndication Server

UConn running back transfer Durell Robinson set to visit Auburn

The former three-star prospect attended the same high school as a trio of 2025 Auburn signees

Former UConn Huskies running back [autotag]Durell Robinson[/autotag] entered the transfer portal following the regular season, and he reportedly is eyeing the Plains as a possible destination to continue his college career. According to Nathan King of Auburn Undercover, Robinson is scheduled to visit Auburn on Wednesday.

The Seat Pleasant, Maryland native played his high school football at St. Frances Academy in Maryland, which happens to be the same school that 2025 Tiger signees [autotag]Blake Woodby[/autotag], [autotag]Bryce Deas[/autotag], and [autotag]Darrion Smith[/autotag] attended.

The freshman running back has three remaining years of eligibility after a solid first season with the Huskies. After starting his career at Charlotte, Robinson joined UConn this season to create an effective 1-2 punch with Cam Edwards. Both backs rushed for over 700 yards this season, with Robinson finishing his season with 731 yards and 8 touchdowns on just 107 carries. The former three-star prospect received an offer from one SEC program during his recruitment process, the Kentucky Wildcats.

Standing at 6-1 and weighing 200 pounds, Robinson could be a nice fit for an Auburn backfield set to be led by senior [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] and freshman [autotag]Alvin Henderson[/autotag] next season. While he still has yet to spend time in Auburn and talk with [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and his staff, the fit makes sense considering Robinson would presumably have much of the same role he did last season with UConn while joining a trio of his high school teammates on the Plains.

If he were to transfer to Auburn, Robinson, along with Alston, Henderson, and [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag], would have large shoes to fill following the departure of [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag]. With plenty of holes to fill and months to go before the season starts, Auburn’s backfield should have an almost completely different look in 2025.

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Sun Belt’s leading rusher schedules visit to Auburn

Auburn’s quest to find its next start running back begins with ULM’s Ahmad Hardy.

Auburn football is out to find its next premier running back and will dip into the Sun Belt Conference to begin its journey.

According to Jeffrey Lee of Auburn Live, Auburn will host ULM running back [autotag]Ahmad Hardy[/autotag] for a visit next Monday. Hardy entered the transfer portal after a stellar freshman season at ULM, where he rushed for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns on 237 carries.

Auburn running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] departs the program after rushing for 3,371 yards and 25 touchdowns, and the Tigers will look to re-shape the running backs room without his presence. [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] and [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag] return as scholarship running backs and Alvin Henderson will join the roster as a true freshman ahead of the 2025 season. [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] will look to add a running back through the transfer portal to bring their scholarship total to four.

Hardy will be a solid addition to the rotation should he commit to Auburn. Hardy set the Sun Belt world on fire last season as his 1,351 rushing yards led the conference, while his 13 rushing touchdowns tied him with South Alabama’s Fluff Bothwell for the conference lead.

He rushed for over 200 yards in two games for the Warhawks in 2024 while rushing for over 100 yards in six additional games. According to Pro Football Focus, Hardy recorded 34 rushes of 10+ yards, and 63 of his touches resulted in ULM first downs. He gained 1,034 yards after initial contact and forced 96 missed tackles.

Auburn is not the only Power Four program that is interested in Hardy’s services. Ole Miss, Michigan, Kentucky, and Oklahoma are just a few programs that have contacted Hardy in the transfer portal’s early stages.

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Record-setting running back Alvin Henderson signs with Auburn

The four-star running back from Elba holds several AHSAA records. How many records will he break at Auburn?

A record-setting running back is on his way to the Plains.

[autotag]Alvin Henderson[/autotag], who holds 12 AHSAA records including yards per carry, season rushing yards, and touchdowns per season, is officially an Auburn Tiger after signing with the program on Wednesday.

Henderson’s recruitment was a roller coaster. The four-star running back from Elba was favored to commit to Auburn earlier this year before changing course and committing to Penn State in April. However, he backed off his pledge to the Nittany Lions in June and reaffirmed his plans to join Auburn’s 2025 class.

“Deep down and truly I know where home is and I knew where home was from the beginning,” Henderson said of Auburn in an interview with Auburn Undercover in June.

What is Auburn getting in Henderson? Henderson is the No. 9 running back in the nation according to 247Sports, and is the No. 12 recruit from Alabama for the 2025 cycle. He rushed for 3,456 yards as a senior at Elba High School and scored 61 touchdowns, which are state records. In Elba’s 80-78 loss to McKenzie High School in September, Henderson set another state record by rushing for nine touchdowns and three two-point conversions, resulting in 60 points.

He looks to break into the Tigers’ running back rotation next season alongside [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] and [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag]. How many records will Henderson break at Auburn?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDKgqOTx_Jb/?img_index=1

OC Derrick Nix wants more ‘explosive plays’ from Auburn offense

Nix says that explosive plays are required in order to score at a high rate.

The Ole Miss Rebels did not become one of college football’s top offenses by playing with a slow tempo.

New offensive coordinator [autotag]Derrick Nix[/autotag], who spent the previous 16 seasons with the Rebels, has been coached several high-octane offenses and looks to produce the same product at Auburn. Not only is he coaching his offense to make plays, he is working to engrave an explosive mindset into the players in hopes of setting a standard.

“Being a fundamentally efficient scoring machine, it requires us to make explosive plays,” Nix said during a recent media availability. “It becomes a standard, and expectation.”

Being an explosive offense runs deeper than solid quarterback and receiver play. Nix says that each position needs to work together in order to build consistency.

“We just try to challenge our guys to expect it. If our offensive line can protect (and) the quarterback makes the right read against the right coverage, you should make the play and it should be explosive,” Nix said. “We should be able to count on that, week in and week out. That is something that we talk about and something that’s expected and needed for this offense to thrive.”

Auburn added plenty of talented wide receivers to its roster over the offseason including Penn State transfer [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and true freshman [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag]. [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag], and [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag] return to head the running back position and [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] is back as the team’s starting quarterback.

This season, up is the only way Auburn can move as they finished No. 14 in passing offense last season among SEC teams. Those skill players as well as a more experienced offensive line should produce the “explosive plays” that Nix hopes to gain this season.

Jeremiah Cobb is glad he ‘stuck’ with Auburn

One of Auburn’s prized 2023 signees, Cobb says that working in a crowded running back room is beneficial to his development.

One of Auburn’s prized 2023 signees has remained loyal to the program through a coaching change and a deep position within the depth chart. His determination is beginning to pay off.

Sophomore running back [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag] enters his second season with Auburn as a more experienced, stronger player. He credits his relationship with fellow backs [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] and [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] as a source of his growth.

“It’s been very beneficial. I came real close to those guys, we’re brothers now. They teach me everything,” Cobb said of his relationship with Auburn’s running backs. “They help me keep my head up, help me go hard at practice every day and give it my all and they definitely helped me a lot as a freshman, helped me grow a lot.”

Despite his progression, Cobb remains third on the depth chart behind Hunter and Alston. Cobb says that he is pleased with the group’s competition and is excited to work with Auburn’s experienced offensive line. In an era that sees many players dealing with Cobb’s situation, he says that he is happy that he decided to remain loyal to Auburn.

“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. “Defense, offense, everywhere.”

Cobb rushed for 172 yards on 33 carries last season with two touchdowns. As a sophomore, Cobb looks to make a name ahead of his junior season in 2025, which will commence without current premier back Jarquez Hunter.

Hugh Freeze breaks down Auburn’s most notable position battles ahead of season

Rotations will be key for the Tigers this season, and Freeze wants the best players possible to be involved.

Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers took the stage at SEC Media Days Thursday and one of the many topics up for discussion was position battles within the program.

The most notable battle, at least in the eyes of those outside of the program, is at wide receiver. The Tigers have a revamped wide receiver room which will feature three transfers, four true freshmen, and two returners. However, the most contested battle is on the other side of the line.

Freeze told reporters Thursday that the defensive line will feature a steady rotation this season.

“The most contested, we have six guys on defensive line you might say it’s contested, but I think we need to rotate all six of them,” Freeze said.

Auburn’s defensive line will be experienced as [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] returning with the additions of [autotag]Trill Carter[/autotag], [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag], and [autotag]Gage Keys[/autotag] joining the program from the transfer portal. Experience will not be an issue, but it will be up to Freeze and defensive line coach [autotag]Vontrell King-Williams[/autotag] to find the perfect combination to give the Tigers the best chance to succeed.

Another position group of concern is at safety, which was ravaged by the NFL draft. [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] is out, meaning Auburn will need to look to transfers and new faces to fill the role.

“I’d probably say safety. You are going to have Keionte (Scott) and Kayin (Lee) getting the bulk of reps at corner, but we really need (Antonio) Kite and (Jaylin) Crawford, Amon Lane (Ganus), some of these younger guys to get ready to play there,” Freeze said. “(Jerrin) Thompson is the vocal leader there, but we need other pieces to give us depth there.”

Freeze went on to mention that [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] will get the nod at quarterback and that the rotation of running backs will feature [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag], and [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag]. At receiver, Freeze calls for six receivers to step into the rotation. Freshmen [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], as well as transfers [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], look to be prime candidates to earn steady playing time at the position.

Cadillac Williams resigns from position as Auburn’s associate head coach

The former Auburn running back resigns after spending five seasons as an assistant coach under three different head coaches.

The latest move regarding Auburn’s coaching staff involves a program legend.

[autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag], who played for Auburn from 2001-04 and served as an assistant coach for his alma mater over the last five seasons, resigned from his position as associate head coach and running backs coach late Thursday evening.

Williams shared his reasoning for the move in a press release. He says that he is looking to pursue other opportunities.

“After taking time to pray and reflect, I have made the decision to resign from my position with Auburn football to pursue other opportunities. I love Auburn, the players and AU family with all my heart, but this decision is what is best for me, my wife and sons. I am extremely grateful for the coaching opportunity given to me first by Coach Malzahn and most recently by Coach Freeze. These past five years on the Plains have been nothing short of incredible. Auburn is and always will be a special part of my life.”

War Eagle!

Williams first joined Auburn’s football staff during the 2019 season under head coach [autotag]Gus Malzahn[/autotag], and would go on to serve on the staffs of [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] and [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag]. Following the firing of Harsin during the 2022 season, Williams was named interim head coach. During his time as interim, Williams led the Tigers to a 2-2 record which included an emotional home win over Texas A&M.

Williams is also known as an effective recruiter, as he played a role in landing running backs [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag], [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag], and [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag]. He was also the primary recruiter for offensive linemen [autotag]Clay Wedin[/autotag] and [autotag]Bradyn Joiner[/autotag].

Williams’ resignation marks the fourth assistant coach to leave the staff since the offseason began. Defensive coordinator [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag] is now a member of the staff at Florida while defensive backs coach [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag] has joined Mike Elko’s staff at Texas A&M. Auburn has also parted ways with offensive coordinator [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag].

Brian Battie withdraws from transfer portal, decides to stay with Auburn

Auburn’s top kick returner from the 2023 season is set to return to the Plains.

A valuable piece of Auburn’s running back depth is set to return to the program for the 2024 season.

[autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag], who transferred to Auburn from USF before the 2023 season, announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 1. However, he has changed his tune. Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported Tuesday that Battie has elected to withdraw his name from the transfer portal, and will return to Auburn.

Battie joined Auburn’s roster after rushing for 1,842 yards in three seasons at USF. His best season in Tampa came in 2022 when he rushed for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns.

He gained 227 yards on 51 carries during his initial season on the Plains but was utilized more as a returner. He recorded 29 kickoff returns last season for 645 yards.

Battie’s return to Auburn provides much-needed depth to its running back room, as well as its return game. Battie will re-join the running back group headlined by [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag], and [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag].

His decision to come back is key for the return game, as it ensures that Auburn’s top punt and kick returners are back for the 2024 season. [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag], Auburn’s top punt returner, announced earlier this week that he has also withdrawn from the transfer portal.

Auburn running back Brian Battie has withdrawn from the transfer portal, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @247sports.

Ran for 227 yards this season. Before Auburn, Battie led the FBS with 1,936 all-purpose yards at USF in 2022.https://t.co/6Cw7NKmknb pic.twitter.com/kTQDmfQPEr

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 10, 2024

Auburn named a school to watch for former Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins

Quinshon Judkins, an Alabama native, has been one of the best running backs in the country over the past two seasons.

[autotag]Quinshon Judkins[/autotag], one of the best running backs in the country, has announced he plans to enter the transfer portal and is set to be one of the top players available.

In two seasons at Ole Miss, he rushed for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. The loss is a big blow for the Rebels ahead of the 2024 season but a massive gain for someone else, and one expert believes that school could be Auburn.

Brad Crawford of 247Sports included the Tigers on his six teams to watch for the Alabama native, alongside Michigan, Florida State, Alabama, LSU, and Oregon.

Judkins is from nearby Pike Road and turned down a late push from [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag] and Auburn to sign with the Rebels out of high school. The Tigers could also be facing some depth concerns at running back, depending on what [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] decides to do.

The junior is draft eligible and could declare early for the 2024 draft, leaving [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] and [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag] as the only scholarship running backs on Auburn’s roster.

Even if Hunter does return, a 1-2 punch of Judkins and Hunter would help lessen the blow on [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] and the revamped passing attack.

pic.twitter.com/CRaqEGY0Ja

— Quinshon Judkins (@qaj4_) January 4, 2024

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Music City mash: Tigers crush Vanderbilt for first SEC road win

That’s two wins in a row for the Tigers!

The Auburn Tigers headed to Nashville in hopes of earning their first SEC road win of the season at Vanderbilt. They managed to get the job done, doing so in a dominating fashion.

The Tigers (5-4, 2-4 SEC) outgained the Commodores (2-8, 0-6 SEC), 424-266, and recorded five total sacks on defense in a 31-15 win.

Auburn started fast with two quick scores in the first quarter and pulled away with a solid defensive effort and two third quarter touchdowns.

The big storyline when reflecting on this game, was the quarterback rotation. After spending the first seven weeks of the season splitting time between Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford, head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] elected to give Thorne a majority of the snaps in Auburn’s win over Mississippi State last Saturday. Freeze turned it up a notch in Saturday’s game at Vanderbilt by giving Thorne 100% of the snaps. His day ended with 194 yards and two touchdowns.

Auburn got off to a hot start by jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter.

Vanderbilt put together a solid opening drive that covered 40 yards in nine plays, but it resulted in zero points as Commodores’ kicker Jacob Borcila missed a 43-yard field goal. The missed field goal proved costly as [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] sprinted 67 yards on the second play of Auburn’s ensuing drive to put Auburn on the board, 7-0 with 10:00 remaining in the opening quarter.

Hunter’s incredible run was nearly duplicated two possessions later. Seven minutes after rushing for a 67-yard score, he ran 56 yards to push Auburn’s lead to 14-0 with 3:01 remaining in the quarter. He rushed for 144 yards in last Saturday’s win over Mississippi State, he ended the 1st quarter with 121 yards and two scores on four carries.

Auburn outgained Vanderbilt, 154-83 in the first quarter, with Hunter’s two long runs being the highlights. The Tigers’ defense held both Vanderbilt quarterbacks, Ken Seals and Walter Taylor, to 26 passing yards on five completions.

In a similar fashion to Auburn’s quick 1st quarter start, Vanderbilt had a hot start of their own in the 2nd quarter. On a 3rd down play inside their own five-yard line, Auburn’s [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] threw an interception to Bryce Cowan which was returned for a touchdown. The five-yard pick-six trimmed Auburn’s lead to 14-7 with 12:15 remaining in the first half.

Both teams traded a few possessions throughout the second quarter before another score was added to the board. Auburn’s [autotag]Alex McPherson[/autotag] connected on a 32-yard field goal with 0:20 remaining in the half to give the Tigers the 17-7 halftime lead.

Auburn outgained Vanderbilt, 226-93 in the yards department through one half. Hunter remained Auburn’s top rusher with 131 yards on nine carries while [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag] led the team in receiving with 23 yards on two catches. Thorne completed 10-of-17 passes for 72 yards in the half, completing at least one pass to five different receivers.

Defensively, [autotag]DJ James[/autotag] led the team in tackles with six. As a unit, the defense created two quarterback hurries and two tackles for loss.

After struggling offensively in the 2nd quarter, Auburn made adjustments in the locker room that were immediately felt.

Auburn needed just three plays on their first drive of the 3rd quarter to extend the lead to 24-7. Thorne connected with tight end [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag] for a 53-yard score with 13:36 to go in the quarter. Then, just four minutes later, Thorne flipped the football to freshman [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag] for a five-yard touchdown pass to bump the lead to 31-7 with 9:44 to go in the 3rd.

The 3rd quarter would also see the Commodores’ first offensive touchdown. With 2:43 to go in the quarter, Seals threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to receiver Junior Sherill to trim Auburn’s lead to 31-15 following a successful two-point conversion play.

The 3rd quarter was Auburn’s best quarter offensively, as they gained 167 total yards. Thorne cracked the 100-yard mark for the third straight game by passing for 167 yards in the quarter, which brought his total up to 194 to that point.

Neither Auburn nor Vanderbilt posted a score in the first quarter, but a late interception by Nehemiah Pritchett sealed the Auburn win.

Hunter led the team in rushing with a season-high 183 rushing yards on 19 carries while Rivaldo Fairweather and Ja’varrius Johnson each recorded 62 receiving yards. Defensively, DJ James led the team in tackles with seven while five sacks were split between Eugene Asante, Zykevious Walker, Austin Keys, Jalen McLeod, Marcus Harris, and Cam Riley.

Auburn will hit the road for the second straight week next Saturday when they visit the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville for a 3 p.m. CT kickoff. The Razorbacks upset Florida on Saturday in overtime, 36-33.