The Auburn Tigers are certainly placing together a quality 2024 recruiting class. Going in-depth with regard to each position, questions do need to be asked and they are connected to the following.
By now, most of you likely know that running back commitment J’Marion Burnette is not fully entrenched within the 2024 Auburn class. Hailing from Andalusia (Ala.) High School, he’s playing for a really good prep program, and he's certainly a talented SEC-level player.
That brings up the following questions for the Tigers.
1) Even if Auburn is fortunate enough to bring back Jarquez Hunter for the 2024 season, how deep will the Tigers running back room be?
Hunter is showing flashes of NFL ability, and he's currently at 89 carries, 453 yards, a 5.1 average, and 5 touchdowns. His make-you-miss ability is also just fun to watch. That being the case with Auburn's top running back, there's something to consider with the overall look at the position.
There’s no debating the volatility of the running back position – at any level of football – because of the pounding each running back takes. Hunter would likely mean five running backs for the 2024 season. Burnette would be six, in theory.
The concern would be seeing two or three running backs succumb to injury, if not more. Further, it is not uncommon for a team to be down to one scholarship running back by mid-season. Therefore, five running backs would be the bare minimum that the Tigers should carry on the roster during any given year.
That’s especially the case with all the different personnel packages and schemes that Hugh Freeze and his staff utilize, taking full advantage of various strengths from each running back on the depth chart, i.e. power runners, speed players, running backs that are excellent at catching the football, etc.
2) Does Auburn sign a different 2024 running back?
While Auburn likes top Clemson running back commitment David Eziomume from Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb, there’s no guarantee a flip will happen despite Clemson struggling with a 4-4 record as it prepares to host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this Saturday.
What about another possible 2024 running back recruit? Ah yes, do not believe for one second that Auburn would not consider other options – if the right prospect(s) are available – and sign them on Dec. 20, National Signing Day.
3) Long-term, what do Freeze, Cadillac Williams, and the Auburn offensive staff want from their running backs?
This answer could go in many directions. Balance would be one way to define the needs being met. More specifically, a three-component player who’s dynamic with the football in his hands, catches the football well, and understands the importance of pass protection.
The more often that Auburn places a running back into the lineup that the coaches trust within all three areas, the more often Auburn can open up its playbook and also use tempo to its advantage.
Overall, running back recruiting has unique questions. It's hard to say exactly what will happen, but it’s going to be fun to follow the running back situation at Auburn Daily.
UPDATE: Of course, as soon as this article is published, Burnette is now recommitted from the Tigers, per On3. More to come on this situation over the next few weeks and all the way through National Signing Day.
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