Jarquez Hunter will not play in Auburn season opener

Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter will miss Saturday’s opener against UMass, according to Justin Hokanson of Auburn Live.

Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze declined to share if Hunter would play earlier this week. However, the junior is not in pads during pregame.

Jarquez Hunter rushed for 675 yards and seven touchdowns last season. For his career, he has nearly 1,300 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores.

Hunter was suspended this offseason when a video surfaced of him allegedly performing sexual acts. Little other information has come forth since then, via official channels or otherwise.

The Mississippi native is back at practice, but he won’t appear in the game. Freeze addressed his status during the SEC teleconference on Wednesday.

“I don’t discuss who’s playing and who’s not. We hope everybody’s healthy enough to play. We’ve got a few that are on that list that maybe can go and maybe can’t, but I’m just not going to discuss who’s playing and who’s not,” Freeze said.

Hunter had been suspended since May and Freeze said very little, stating at various points that he couldn’t or wouldn’t comment on the running back’s status. He was, however, glad to have a star running back with the team again after his time away.

“Obviously it’s good to have him back in the room and on the team. He plays the game hard and helps us, in that room, become even better. So, good to have him back,” Freeze said last Saturday.

At SEC Media Days this summer, Freeze publicly spoke about the situation for the first time and said he couldn’t comment at that time.

“I’m not allowed to comment on the university’s policies or procedures at this point,” he said.

Auburn’s statement announcing the suspensions was vague and didn’t specifically name any players. Before he took the podium, Freeze met with reporters in Nashville and when asked if any other players received a punishment, he again said he couldn’t comment on university policy.

“We are aware of the situation and take this matter very seriously,” the statement read. “The appropriate office are conducting a thorough review. Indefinite suspensions have been issued for violation of applicable Auburn Athletics department policy. No further comment will be provided at this time.”

Hunter is Auburn’s top returning playmaker this season. He came in at No. 56 in On3’s Top 100 College Football Player in 2023, which is why his absence is concerning from an on-field standpoint. Last season, he trailed only Tank Bigsby and Robby Ashford on the roster.