Auburn updates depth chart

[aubiefifty 17,488]

Auburn updates depth chart ahead of showdown with Penn State

By Tom Green | tgreen@al.com

3 minutes

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Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter (27) catches a pass against Alabama State during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)AP

Auburn has tweaked its official two-deep depth chart ahead of its top-25 nonconference showdown with No. 10 Penn State.

The Tigers released their weekly depth chart early Monday afternoon, with updates to three positions on offense. The first was the inclusion of freshman Jarquez Hunter on the depth chart at running back, where he now appears alongside senior Shaun Shivers in the No. 2 spot behind Tank Bigsby. Hunter and Shivers are separated by an “OR” for the backup running back job.

Hunter’s rise up the depth chart comes after the freshman out of Mississippi opened his career with back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances. He’s the first Auburn freshman running back to open his career with consecutive 100-yard games since Onterio McCalebb in 2009.

Hunter led Auburn in rushing during its 62-0 win against Alabama State, running for 147 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. That included a 94-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, which broke the program record for longest run from scrimmage. He earned the game ball from coach Bryan Harsin in the locker room after the win. Hunter leads Auburn this season with 257 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, averaging 15.1 yards per carry.

The other changes to the depth chart came along the offensive line, where the Tigers have seemingly settled on a starting five, as co-starters are no longer listed at the left and right guard spots. Brandon Council is now firmly listed as the starter at left guard, while Keiondre Jones has solidified himself as Auburn’s starting right guard. Previously, Alec Jackson was listed as a co-starter at left guard with Council, while Tashawn Manning was the co-starter at right guard with Jones. Council and Jones have started both games so far this season for Auburn and have received the majority of snaps, though Council briefly left last week’s win against Alabama State with an apparent right leg injury before returning to the lineup.

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

[AUwent 3,786]

Glad Keiondre took the starting job.