Midseason MVPs: Jarquez Hunter

Halfway through Auburn’s 2024 campaign, Jarquez Hunter has left a valuable imprint on the Tigers offense. 

The senior running back from Philadelphia, MS is off to the best start of his career. Hunter has totaled 528 yards through the first six games of the season, also adding four touchdowns — three rushing and one receiving — on 78 carries.

After serving as backup his freshman and sophomore year to current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby, Hunter has led the backfield for the Tigers over the past two seasons. 

The role for Hunter has expanded significantly since the departure of Bigsby. Hunter saw 193 total carries through his first two seasons, compared to 159 in just 2023 and 78 through the first six contests of 2024.

Not only has the role increased, but the production has increased as well. In Hunter’s first season as the starting running back for the Tigers, he managed an average of 5.7 yards per carry, and this year has increased that number to an average of 6.8 yards per carry. 

Fifth-year senior, Payton Thorne, has been impressed with the play of Hunter.

“I think we’re doing a good job on the ground,” Thorne said. “Jarquez and Damari and Cobb back there are doing a good job of seeing what the offensive line is doing and attacking.”

Week one: Alabama A&M

To open the season the Tigers took on the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, in a game that Auburn ended up winning 73-3. Hunter didn’t have much action, only getting four carries as Auburn focused on spreading the touches. However, Hunter made the most of his opportunity with 53 yards for an average of 13.3 yards per carry, he also added a touchdown.

Week two: California

After a strong first week, the Tigers struggled immensely on the offensive end losing to the California Golden Bears 21-14. Although the Tigers didn’t get the result they wanted, Hunter still put together a respectable outing with 68 yards on 12 attempts. He also added 11 receiving yards on three receptions, however he did lose a fumble.

Week three: New Mexico

Auburn picked up its second win, with a 45-19 victory over the New Mexico Lobos, a matchup where Hunter saw an increase in carries. He had a career-high 20 attempts on the ground leading to 152 yards, also adding a touchdown. Hunter also left an impact through the receiving game with his first and only touchdown through the air in 2024 thus far.

Week four: Arkansas

In another struggling week for the Tigers' offense, they lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks 24-14. Hunter had another respectable performance, similar to his stats against California. He totaled 67 yards on 12 carries with no touches through the receiving game.

Week five: Oklahoma

The Tigers suffered another SEC loss to the Oklahoma Sooners 27-21. Hunter had a lot of involvement in the offense, compiling 118 total yards on 17 carries and two receptions.

Week six: Georgia

Auburn fell to 2-4 on the season after a 31-13 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs. Facing one of the more talented defenses in the country, Hunter had a quality showing with 91 rushing yards. He also tacked on 16 yards through the air. In addition, he added his longest carry of the season of 38 yards which went for a touchdown.

However, Hunter wasn’t satisfied with the Tigers rushing attack.

“Earlier in the game we had a couple big runs and then later in the game we had a couple big runs against them,” Hunter said. “I mean, we could’ve run the ball all day, we just had to execute as players.”

Hunter is on pace to be the first 1000 yard rusher for the Tigers since Bigsby in 2021, but he wants to take it one game at a time as Auburn looks for its first conference win of the year.

“We got the talent to win a lot of games,” Hunter said. “We got a bye week, so we just got to get ready for Missouri this week and don’t lack off.”