Auburn's running back room is entering a pivotal year, with a depth chart that reads more like a talent pool than a simple list of names.
Last season the Tigers amassed 3,064 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, a figure that placed them ninth among Football Bowl Subdivision teams and marked a yards‑per‑carry average of 5.2. Quarterback Byrum Brown contributed a thousand yards on the ground, underscoring the dual‑threat nature of the offense.
The last time Auburn reached the 3,000‑yard milestone was in 2016, a season that still fuels the program’s ambition. That historical benchmark adds a narrative of resurgence as the current cohort looks to rewrite the recent narrative of under‑utilization.
A Battle for Carries
The competition is fierce. Jeremiah Cobb, a top‑200 national recruit, led the team in rushing last fall, while Nykahi Davenport, Bryson Washington and Tae Meadows arrived as three‑star prospects eager to prove themselves. Kam Pettway, Kerryon Johnson and Kam Martin bring experience, and newcomers Alvin Henderson and Omar Mabson are re‑engineering their roles after limited snap counts.
Coach Alex Golesh has made it clear that the staff intends to split reps, using the versatility of the group to keep defenses guessing. By rotating fresh legs and leveraging each player’s strengths, the plan aims to sustain high efficiency throughout the grind of a full schedule.
If the strategy clicks, Auburn could not only reclaim a top‑ten rushing ranking but also shape the tempo of games in its favor. The backfield’s blend of power, speed and experience suggests that the 2026 season may finally deliver the consistent ground game the program has been chasing.