Hunter Goes Hollywood: Rams draft Auburn star Jarquez Hunter

Growing up in a small town in Mississippi, it’s every kid's dream to hear their name called at the NFL Draft. 

Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter’s dream became a reality this afternoon as he was selected with the No. 117 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams. 

Hunter will head to Hollywood, joining Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in a loaded Rams running back room. 

The halfback from Philadelphia, MS has been one of the few bright spots for Auburn over the recent disappointing years. Hunter played all four seasons for the Tigers which is a rarity in the transfer portal/NIL era of college football. 

In his senior campaign on the Plains, Hunter was Auburn’s most reliable player on offense, posting 1,201 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He was selected to First-Team All-SEC.

The highlight of his senior season came in Lexington, KY, where he torched the Wildcats for 278 yards and two touchdowns. A month later, Hunter left Jordan-Hare Stadium with a bang, going for 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Auburn’s 4OT win over Texas A&M. 

During Auburn’s five victories in 2024, he averaged an absurd 143 yards and 1.4 touchdowns per game. 

Throughout his career in the orange and blue he racked up 3,371 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground. Those numbers place Hunter fourth all-time in rushing yards and tied for eighth all-time in rushing touchdowns in Auburn history.

“Thank you Auburn family for all the support that y’all gave me throughout the four years over there, much love… War damn eagle,” Hunter said via Auburn football’s X account. 

He joins Cameron Artis-Payne, Kerryon Johnson, Chandler Cox, and Tank Bigsby as halfbacks from Auburn drafted in the last 10 years. 

Hunter was beloved by the Auburn family during his time on the Plains. Don’t be surprised to see a few blue and gold jerseys around Jordan-Hare Stadium next season!