maryland tiger
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Posts posted by maryland tiger
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Mark my words, our Oline will be MUCH better this season.
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Beginning of season depth chart. Make no mistake about it, the #1 and #2 spots are not changing.
1. Tank
2. Jarquez
3. Sean and/or Damari
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Good for all of the Auburn players who have busted their tails for this University and for the football program. I hope they all get drafted and have extensive NFL careers.
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For those who were worried about Jarquez because no articles were written about him, I hope this eases your concern. The article clearly states he will have an INCREASED role. Geesh 🙄
Jarquez Hunter prepared for increased role at running back for Auburn in Year 2
Running back Jarquez Hunter (27) runs toward cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (18) during Auburn preseason camp on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022 in Auburn, Ala. (Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics)Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Jarquez Hunter does not lack confidence.
The sophomore running back, like the rest of Auburn’s running back room, has heard the tales from Cadillac Williams about his glory days on the Plains — how Williams and Ronnie Brown were an elite backfield duo in the early 2000s while leading the Tigers to an undefeated season, an SEC title and a No. 2 finish nationally in 2004. The way Hunter sees it, Williams and Brown wouldn’t have seen the field had he been in college back then.At least, that’s what he has told Williams, his position coach at Auburn.“We go back and forth, because those guys think that the game is tougher now and, ‘Coach, y’all weren’t getting it like us.’” Williams said.
It’s all part of the friendly banter in Auburn’s running back room this fall, and it could be an indication of things to come for Hunter in his second season with the Tigers as he looks to build off a solid freshman campaign. As a true freshman last year, Hunter rushed for 593 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 6.66 yards per carry as the second and sometimes third option out of Auburn’s backfield.
“The biggest adjustment is that I know I’m going to play a lot more this year, so I’ve got to really just get stuff down pat,” Hunter said.
A former three-star prospect out of Philadelphia, Miss., Hunter was Auburn’s most impactful true freshman in 2021. The 5-foot-10, 202-pound running back made a name for himself early in the year, turning heads with back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances to start his career. He ran for 110 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in the season opener against Akron, and he followed it up with 147 yards and a score on eight carries the next week against Alabama State —
Unlike Williams, who admitted he had never been as nervous as he was in his college debut—when he rushed for 10 yards on nine carries against Ball State in 2001 — Hunter says he was calm and eager to deliver the first time his number was called.
And deliver he did. Hunter became the first Auburn freshman to start his career with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since Onterio McCalebb in 2009. The following week,
Despite the blistering start to his career, things started to cool off for Hunter down the stretch last season. His production began to dip in SEC play, when competition got stiffer. Following a six-carry, 65-yard, one-touchdown effort in Auburn’s win at LSU, he averaged 3.1 yards per carry the remainder of October in games against Georgia, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
Once the calendar flipped to November, his touches tapered off, too. He did not record more than five carries in any of Auburn’s final five games of the season, all of which the Tigers lost. During that stretch, he had 20 total carries for 63 yards.
Despite a reduced role, Hunter’s confidence never wavered.
“That kid’s A1,” Williams said. “I’m talking about A1. Not one time did he complain. Not one time. And the kid put other people first and wanted to see other people succeed. He is so confident in him and his ability and who he is as a person, and regardless of what goes on, if he gets 10 carries, 20, 30 carries, that young man is a team guy. He is going to be — like I tell him, man —you keep that attitude, you keep that mindset, he’s going to go a long way in life.”
Hunter is hopeful that mindset at least takes him further in Year 2 on the Plains. With Shaun Shivers now at Indiana, Hunter heads into the season firmly as Auburn’s No. 2 running back behind preseason first-team All-SEC selection Tank Bigsby. The two were marketed at SEC Media Days last month as a vaunted backfield combination that should catch people’s attention this fall, but like Bigsby, Hunter isn’t resting on his laurels. The sophomore missed spring after a minor knee procedure but made a point this offseason, knowing the opportunity in front of him, to improve his practice and study habits, becoming more detailed in both areas. He was already a notorious performer in the weight room, going back to his days at Neshoba Central High, but he aimed to improve his balance on the field, as well as his jump-cuts with the ball in his hands.
“Jarquez is a machine,” Williams said. “He can run, and he kills workouts. It’s just like last-man standing. ”Auburn's freshman running back is a "country boy" from Philadelphia, Miss., who can squat 600 pounds, jump out of a swimming pool and catch a football mid-backflip.
Hunter has also been making note of all the yards he left on the table last season—the missed opportunities, holes in the line and keys that could have produced more runs like that record-breaking one in Week 2 against Alabama State.
“He’s another guy that’s super talented,” Williams said. “Sometimes with guys super talented, they can get lackadaisical or bored with the process, so my challenge to these guys is, the great ones, they don’t get bored with the process. Like, boredom, man, can kill your dreams.”
According to Williams, Hunter has responded resoundingly, even pushing Bigsby at times in practice. While he’s unlikely to overtake Bigsby, who is expected to be the foundation upon which Auburn’s offense is based, Hunter believes he’ll provide a nice backfield complement to the accomplished junior — and perhaps they can develop into another heralded Auburn running back duo, like Williams/Brown and others who came before them. (Williams) always talks about how that running back room he was in, they all were talented,” Hunter said. “He just said he had to work hard just to play — and I feel like I’m in the same predicament. Just go out there and work hard and just make things happen.”
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18 minutes ago, Sizzle said:
His game against Arkansas was ugly. That was probably when his carries really dropped. That number 2 spot isn’t as locked up as people may make it seem. I haven’t seen Hunter’s name mentioned once this preseason
How silly is this? What are we really talking bout?
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9 minutes ago, kennypowers said:
Are people actually debating whether Hunter is in jeopardy of losing the #2 spot? He's not...not even close.
^^^THIS^^^ Thank you!
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Check out the aggressive offensive line we now have! Me likes alot!
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31 minutes ago, Mikey said:
If Alston is a good back he could very easily supplant Hunter. Take out that one 94 yard run against Al. State and Hunter's stats are ordinary in the extreme. Hunter didn't do well against the top competition. In the last seven games of the season he only had one game in which he averaged at least 4 yards per carry. Hunter will have to up his game if he's to avoid being passed by a true freshman. https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/gamelog/_/id/4710341
Here you go with averages of 4. First Gus averaged 4.5 losses a year(not 5) and now Jarquez only averaged 4 yards a carry. Have you ever considered that Jarquez got better from his 1st season in the SEC? That's what typically happens from your first year to the second. Jarquez is a beast and with a better blocking offensive line, who has now gotten Gus out of their system, he will be doing bigger things. The only way Alston jumps Jarquez is if he sustains an injury. Stop it, Mikey!
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52 minutes ago, AuburnNTexas said:
Damari Alston apparently has had a very strong Fall camp so far and was great during the scrimmage. I am wondering despite his being a Freshman if he has a legitimate chance to become RB2 ahead of Hunter this year? Apparently he is a complete back can run between tackles, can run outside and is very good as a receiver out of the backfield. Because of that versatility when he comes in unlike sometimes in the past you knew the play based on which player was in.
He is not supplanting Jarquez; not this year or next.
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- Popular Post
- Popular Post
I am so sick and tired of these Gus lovers, bragging about how Gus/Auburn hadn't had a losing record in the past 8 season.
2020 Record 6-5(This is after Gus has had 8 years to build the program)
- Lost 35-19 to Northwestern in bowl game; not to mention losing to UCF in a previous bowl game.
2021 Record 6-7(This is after year 1)
You mean to tell me 6-5 is something to be happy about and is a means to try to demean the current coach, who inherited that putrid offensive talent???
Give it a rest, dude!
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For a quick second, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me and Derrick Brown returned. MBA certainly looks the part.
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Senator Tuberville has had enough and intimated that politicians may have to get involved with NIL. I had no idea that some coaches are now required to raise funds to pay certain athletes. College football is going down the wrong road.
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Kameron Brown,#43, looks faster and in better shape. If he can give Auburn 3/4 of what his brother gave, lookout!
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I believe the offensive line will be a pleasant surprise this season. I was hoping Brenden Coffey would start over Troxell but that doesn't seem to be the case. It is a long season though and I hope he gets to start at some point.
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Is #5 MBA? That dude is humungous. I hope our coaches can put some anger and rage in him. We have the makings of a special D-Line if they get the right coaching and someone lights a fire under them.
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So happy that Jeremiah Wright is officially back on the D-line and I couldn't be happier. That D-line is going to be sick. I'm so happy I could break dance.
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While Calzada is out here throwing dimes and getting better, TJ is designing clothes. I🤔 Seems to me that an excuse is now being formulated when the inevitable happens and that would be a 2nd team slating for TJ.
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I am really excited about the D-line for this year's team. I believe we will be better than last year, which was pretty good. I also believe we have enough diversity to provide help on the edge if and when needed.
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11 hours ago, gr82be said:
This is a great song! lol
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Good for Nick! Maybe he is a little bit better than most give him credit for. I hope he has a great season.
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19 minutes ago, TexasTiger said:
Somebody got their ankles broken and fractured!
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1. Cam
- I would not be disappointed with Marshall
2. Kerryon(If Healthy-Can run and catch)
- Mason is underrated
3. Darvin
- Dude caught just about everything thrown his way, down the field and over the middle
4. Lutz
- Wish I could have seen more from CJ
5. Braden
- Dude was a stud at Auburn and currently for the Colts.
All Things Fall Camp Thread
in AU Football Forum
Posted
This does not help me feel better about the passing game. I say have Robby ready to go. Vandy's QB looked decent running and throwing. Why not do the same with Robby? I'm sorry but TJ does not give me a good feeling.