The 2023 season is upon us, and one position group that appears to have the least amount of questions is the running back unit.
Auburn football has experienced a program overhaul thanks to incoming transfer portal talent, with quarterback, offensive line, and wide receiver all expected to be affected by this change. The one constant, however, is running back.
[autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] is expected to be the team’s premier back this season, and has made quite the impression on [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag].
“I think Jarquez (Hunter) is the best that I’ve coached thus far,” Freeze said during spring practice. “(I’m) excited about his demeanor and the way he goes about his work. He keeps his mouth shut and just goes to work.”
Following Hunter’s lead is expected to be USF transfer [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag]. Battie rushed for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and his speed will definitely aid Auburn in the return game as well.
Those two names are the most popular around the Plains, but it is worth keeping an eye on Damari Alston as well. Alston only recorded 14 touches last season but his versatility impressed offensive coordinator [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag] in the spring.
“From Day 1, I thought (Alston) had a pretty good feel with what we were trying to do in the run game, with seeing it, setting up blocks, and still had that physicality about him,” Montgomery said. “But the speed that he brings… man, he’s got gears in there.”
The three-headed monster that Auburn will bring into the season sure seems impressive, but does the national media see it that way? Athlon Sports ranked each SEC program’s running back situation in its preseason magazine, and believes that the Tigers have one of the best units in the conference.
Here’s a rundown of Athlon Sports’ running back unit rankings ahead of the 2023 season.