In the wake of Tre Mason's announcement that he would forego his senior year at Auburn to declare for the NFL Draft, many questions have emerged about the future of the Tigers' running game.
In Mason's announcement, he showed full faith that his successors would be able to carry his success on the ground into the next season.
"Those guys are ready," Mason said. "I see a lot of talent in those guys and they're very hard workers."
While losing a gifted back like Mason leaves a hole in the Auburn depth chart, the Tigers have a stable of running backs that look able to do the job.
Both Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant are senior backs who will look to take the lead position.
Payne came to Auburn last year out of Allan Hancock Community College in California. In the 2013 season, Payne split carries with Mason throughout the first part of the season, but saw Mason gain the majority of the carries as the season went on.
Payne, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound back, had 610 yards and six touchdowns last season on 91 carries.
While Payne is seen as a power back, Opelika native Corey Grant is well known for being a speedster.
Grant became involved in the Tigers backfield after transferring from Alabama before the 2012 season. Grant is known for his big-play tendencies, and had a breakout game in Auburn's opener against Washington State, having a 75-yard touchdown run and 146 yards on nine carries.
Grant finished with 647 yards and six touchdowns on 66 carries in 2013.
Johnathon "Rudy" Ford will try to get his name in the mix at running back after moving to defense to aid a thin secondary this past season.
Ford will have to overcome redshirt-freshman Peyton Barber, who played alongside Carl Lawson at Alpharetta High School (Ga.). Barber was originally committed to play for the Ole Miss Rebels, but flipped his commitment after being persuaded by the Auburn recruiters and Lawson.
Barber has impressed fellow teammates with his work in practice, especially Tre Mason.
"[Barber] is probably, skill wise, the best out of all of us," Mason said. "That guy is good. He's very consistent when he's scrimmaging."
Arguably the most intriguing possibility is Auburn commitment Racean "Roc" Thomas. Thomas, a five-star recruit out of Oxford High School, is listed by Rivals.com as the No. 2 running back prospect and the No. 12 overall prospect in the nation.
Thomas has an incredible blend of rushing skills, with lightning-quick lateral movement, great power and tackle-breaking skills and freakish breakaway speed.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound back will look to be the next breakout back for Auburn, and will look to be active in his first season on The Plains.
In order to do so, he'll have to beat out a whole stable of talented backs.
While Mason is tough to lose, it's comforting knowing that Auburn has no depth issues at running back.
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