Auburn running backs have had a history of excelling under the tutelage of Gus Malzahn since he became the Tigers head coach in 2013. Whether it's the record breaking 2013 season of Tre Mason, Cameron Artis-Payne leading the SEC in rushing the following season or Kamryn Pettway neatly doing the same thing in 2016 with only nine games played, its clear that Gus Malzahn knows how to run the football.
Coming into the 2017 season, Kamryn Pettway, a physical monster of a running back, was supposed to lead the Tigers ground game with Kerryon Johnson serving as a strong complimentary back in order to give the offense new dimensions.
Then again, why wouldn't Pettway serve as Auburn's number one running back? His explosive combination of size, power and speed revitalized the Auburn offense in 2016 until key injuries derailed the team late in the season.
Johnson totaled nearly 900 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2016 which led many experts to claim Auburn as one of the country's best backfields. Although Johnson's immense talent was clear coming into 2017, the Huntsville native was expected to take a sort of back seat to the star of Auburn's 2016 offense.
However, after a one game suspension, plantar fasciitis and a lingering left ankle injury have hindered incumbent starter Kamryn Pettway, Johnson took his opportunity and ran with it, literally.
Johnson has had his fair share of injuries in 2017 as well. A lower hamstring injury in week one has kept Johnson from playing at 100% which has led to some solid production from third-string running back Kam Martin.
Nevertheless, Johnson's production so far in 2017 has the 6-foot 212 pound running back in the conversation to receive college football's highest individual award come December.
Despite only playing in four of Auburn's six games to start the season, Johnson has racked up 504 rushing yards on only 85 attempts, good for a very impressive 5.9 yards per carry as well as an NCAA best 12 touchdowns
Other star running backs like Stanford's Bryce Love and Penn State's Saquon Barkley may get more hype from national media, granted they both are having incredible seasons for big name programs, but, no one has been more important to their team's success as Johnson has been for Auburn.
Take a look at the two games that Kerryon Johnson sat out for: Clemson and Mercer. Those two games were Auburn's worst offensive performances so far this year and although an away game at national contender Clemson isn't by any means a "cakewalk", no one expected the worst offensive output in the Gus Malzahn era.
The following week, Johnson out with injury, Auburn lined up against FCS opponent Mercer. While yardage wise, the offensive warn terrible, most fans expected more than the sluggish fumble-fest that led to Auburn's uninspiring 24-10 homecoming victory.
The week four matchup against Missouri marked Auburn's first conference game and the return of Johnson from injury. To say the least, Johnson and the Auburn offense did not disappoint. After sluggish performances against Clemson and Mercer, Auburn exploded for 51 points and nearly 500 yards. However, the star of the game was none other than Junior running back, Kerryon Johnson who exploded for five rushing touchdowns in under three quarters, one shy of Carnell Williams' single game record.
However, the Kerryon Johnson hype train wasn't planning on stopping anytime soon, the following week against 24th ranked Mississippi State, Johnson showed again the talent that had him as such a coveted recruit out of high school. Johnson's 116 yards and three touchdowns paced Auburn to an easy 49-10 victory.
Third times the charm, right? Auburn's week six matchup against reeling Ole Miss was perhaps the best game of Johnson's career. His 204 yards marked a career high, reaching the back of the end zone three times was just the cherry on top.
Johnson leading the NCAA in rushing touchdowns is even more impressive when you realize he has only played four games. Additionally, with Johnson garnering 11 of those 12 touchdowns in just the last three games, it's a shame that the Auburn star has yet to receive the same kind of love from national media as many other talented collegiate running backs get.
Johnson's recent hot streak is about as hot as you can get. Albeit, the streak has come against against weaker SEC competition but SEC competition nevertheless. If Johnson can keep this kind of production up, look for Auburn to ride his talent into playoff contention and Johnson himself to be one of the few players up for the Heisman trophy at the end of the season
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