Hugh Freeze thinks this Auburn football running back is due for 'breakout year'

Auburn football will need a new face to become the figurehead of its running back room in 2025, as Jarquez Hunter is into the NFL, meaning the Tigers' leading rusher from 2024 isn't returning.

To Hugh Freeze, there's one player to watch closest when it comes to filling in Hunter's footsteps.

"I think Jeremiah Cobb is going to have a breakout year," Freeze said last week during a coaches caravan event in Alexander City. "He’s super talented. Great long speed. I just don’t think he’s had enough touches to show what he can really do."

Heading into his third season, Cobb has registered 314 rush yards and 2 rushing touchdowns on 62 carries the past two years. In total, he has played 546 snaps, but Freeze doesn't see Cobb as his team's lone capable back, either.

"Damari Alston is a solid back in every manner," Freeze said. "He can do it all. Durell (Robinson), didn’t get to see him in the spring, sort of like X (Xavier Chaplin). Love what I see from him right now in summer workouts. He’s got the body type and it looks the right way. He’s got some good tape from UConn. I do think it will be those three, mainly."

Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@gannett.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter.To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Which Auburn RB is due for a breakout year? What High Freeze says