Tank Bigsby showed flashes of what could come as a freshman in 2020 as he shook off would-be tacklers and lowered his head to gain extra yards on his way to becoming Auburn’s feature back.
For the sophomore and former 5-star recruit, it is all part of him becoming just another great running back in the history of the Auburn program.
“I hold myself to account by working hard,” Bigsby said. “Coach Cadillac pushes me. He tells me how many great running backs have come through here. Of course, I want to be the next one.”
That coach, of course, is Cadillac Williams who, in four years on the Plains, rushed for 3,831 yards, second-most to only Bo Jackson, and an Auburn record 45 touchdowns.
Bigsby, who found himself having to work his way up the depth chart at the beginning of last season and battling injuries toward the end of the year, had some questions when Gus Malzahn was fired and Bryan Harsin was brought in, the most important being whether or not Williams would be kept on the staff.
The back was relieved when Cadillac was retained.
“(Williams) teaches me a lot of things,” Bigsby said. “Just knowing he was coming back to keep teaching me, it was great. Coach Cadillac is a great coach. He recruited me. He talks me through things.. He means a lot to all the running backs. He treats us all the same. He’s a great person.”
Now the star of the Auburn offense, Bigsby will be key to the Tigers success in 2021 yet he’s not going to make any major declarations of grandeur leading up to the season.
“I just let my actions speak for themselves. I feel like if I keep doing what I’m doing and keep my head straight, I’ll get there.”