Nice Harold Joiner Article

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Harold Joiner is settling in at running back, where Auburn wants to ‘let his talent shine’

Updated Aug 11, 4:38 PM;Posted Aug 11, 8:31 AM

Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Auburn running back Harold Joiner runs a drill during the first day of fall camp on Aug. 2 at the Tigers' athletics complex.

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By Tom Green | tgreen@al.com

Gus Malzahn perked up when he mentioned the name of one of Auburn’s running back options this fall. It was back in July at SEC Media Days, and Malzahn was meeting with the local media in a suite at the Wynfrey in Hoover shortly before he took the stage in the main room.

That’s when he brought up “the Harold Joiner factor.”

“His skillset is unique,” Malzahn said. “And it’s different.”

The former four-star Mountain Brook prospect was a non-factor as a true freshman last season, when he redshirted while appearing in just two games and finished the season with three carries for 9 yards and a touchdown. Malzahn hopes to establish a bigger role for him this fall as the Tigers try to reestablish their presence on the ground following a disappointing and uncharacteristic season running the ball in 2018.

“Harold Joiner will, I really believe, be a big part of what our plans are,” Malzahn said. “He’s very unique from the standpoint that he can do a lot of different things. We will have a specific plan for him during fall camp and this season. His versatility gives us a lot of freedom.”

Malzahn didn’t want to too far delve into what those plans were for Joiner, who has been compared to Charles Clay, the former Tulsa star who signed as a running back before developing into a versatile weapon at H-back during Malzahn’s time as offensive coordinator for the Golden Hurricane.

After spending some time at H-back last season, Joiner shifted full-time to Auburn’s running backs room this spring, with Malzahn drawing another comparison for the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder: former Auburn star and 2017 SEC Offensive Player of the Year Kerryon Johnson. It’s not so much that Joiner has the same type of game-changing ability that Johnson displayed during his time on the Plains, but more that he has the versatility that made Johnson a factor as a true freshman in 2015.

That year, Auburn used Johnson as a complementary player out of the backfield and as an option in the slot. That’s how Joiner was utilized this spring, and it culminated with an A-Day performance in which he had six carries for 21 yards and three receptions for 28 yards.

“He's a guy who can do multiple things, but I think he has found a home at the RB position,” Auburn running backs coach Cadillac Williams said in July. “So, I'm excited to get that opportunity, to get going with him and just let his talent shine. That guy is unbelievably talented. I just feel like it's our job now as coaches to get Harold going.”

Joiner has continued to rep at running back in fall camp, and he has seen time in the backfield when the Tigers have worked on split-back formations. He gives Auburn an intriguing option on offense as not just the Tigers’ tallest running back at 6-foot-4, but one of the team’s biggest receiver options (only Sal Cannella is taller among the Tigers’ receivers — not including tight ends Tyler Fromm and Luke Deal).

During Auburn’s first scrimmage of fall camp on Thursday, he got “quite a few carries” — a move that Malzahn said was by design, as Williams rotated running backs and was also without freshman D.J. Williams (shoulder).

Joiner took advantage of those opportunities, breaking off a long touchdown run with the second-team offense late in the scrimmage, despite Auburn’s overall offensive struggles on the day. He’ll have another chance during Wednesday’s second scrimmage as he continues to try to carve out a role in the offense heading into his redshirt freshman season.

“Harold's really grown up,” right tackle Jack Driscoll said. “He really kind of matured at that running back position. One thing I've noticed about him., A, he's a tough kid; he's not afraid to take a hit. And B, he's really patient when he runs, which — sometimes when the defense shifts, or double-teams, sometimes it takes a second to develop. He's good at looking, looking and then going. Not just pressing it right away.

“For us we like blocking for everyone, we like blocking for Harold; he's a great player, and I think he'll give our offense more and more options and I think he can do a lot and help our team.”

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

[WarNole 141]

Wishing him the best in making a significant impact!

[aucanucktiger 1,884]

Harold Joiner screams wheel route. 

[bigbird 60,939]

56 minutes ago, aucanucktiger said:

Harold Joiner screams wheel route. 

He better stop or he'll give the play away.

[Barnacle 9,107]

1 hour ago, bigbird said:

He better stop or he'll give the play away.

You're on a roll tonight

[AUsince72 11,084]

12 hours ago, bigbird said:

He better stop or he'll give the play away.