Gone are Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant, two senior running backs with NFL aspirations. Fighting for their places are rising sophomore Roc Thomas, junior Peyton Barber and junior JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson.
Although Barber has the most experience in Gus Malzahn’s offense, Robinson is viewed as the frontrunner for the spot leading up to A-Day.
However, everyone will have their chance to prove their mettle in the four months leading up to kickoff against Louisville in the Georgia Dome.
“We’re going to do like the very first year we were here,” Malzahn said. “We have Roc (Thomas), we have Peyton Barber and we have Jovon (Robinson). Those guys will be rotated, and we’ll try to put those guys in equal situations with the first line, with the second line.”
Thomas has the most on-field experience of the three, accumulating 214 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries as the third-string back behind Artis-Payne and Grant in 2014.
This year will be Barber’s third year in Malzahn’s system, but he has been buried in the depth chart behind Artis-Payne, Grant and Tre Mason. Being that, Barber has only rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries in his career.
Regardless, Malzahn has insisted the competition will be thoroughly evaluated before naming a starter.
“All three of those guys we feel like have a chance to be really good in our system,” Malzahn said. “We’re going to give them opportunities to show what they can do, and we’re going to have a really good evaluation by the end of the spring on all three of the guys.”
Thomas and Robinson both came to Auburn as five-star recruits, but another five-star, Kerryon Johnson, will join the fold and potentially put pressure on the veterans of the group this summer.
Malzahn ensured the person picked as starting running back will have earned their spot, and his penchant for churning out 1,000-yard rushers should give Auburn fans plenty of reason to believe he will choose the right one.
Auburn is known as “Running Back U” for a reason, and the Tigers currently have three players who could add to that legacy on the roster right now.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
