Auburn RB Jeremiah Cobb: 'I'm the go-to guy when it comes to catching the ball'

AUBURN – Auburn sophomore running back Jeremiah Cobb has not spoken to the media much if at all since arriving to Auburn a year ago. His recruitment was one that caught plenty of attention as many big schools try to flip him from the Tigers toward the end.

After a promising freshman season and a coaching change at his position, Cobb is feeling comfortable with the new era.

“It’s actually gone very well,” Cobb said. “I’ve gotten to know my coach very well. He is an easy guy to connect to, he’s very chill, he knows everything on the field so it helps me and all the other running backs when we go out to practice. It’s been very smooth. He makes it really easy to understand the offense, the blocking, run schemes, everything. It’s been real fun.”

Cobb has leaned into learning everything about the offense from his Nix as he is also over the offense.

“During this spring I have been trying to learn the offense as much as I can,” Cobb said. “Learning from the other running backs, they have been teaching me. That has been the biggest thing so far. Coach Nix has definitely made it way easier now,” Cobb said. “I have caught on to so many things that have really helped me this spring.”

So far, Cobb feels as though nothing with his role has changed.

“No sir, I don’t believe my role has changed at all, just here to help the running back room get better and help the team,” Cobb said.

Building from freshman year

Cobb says it was an easy transition on the field in year one from high school. Practice and everything that goes with it was an adjustment, but the game is the same as it has always been for him.

“When I get on the field it’s really no change to me,” Cobb said. “It all slows down and it’s back to just playing football. Definitely knowing everything that’s going on–what’s the safety doing, what’s the defense doing, that is the biggest change for me.”

Cobb is happy with the amount of carries he got in year one, but thinks he’s capable of earning more.

“I was very surprised how many snaps I got to play,” Cobb said. “Think I could have played more but that’s my fault for not knowing the offense as well. I was still very appreciative of the snaps I did get.”

Cobb believes he is the main guy in the backfield to be a receiving threat. From being a smaller back in high school, he knew he’d need to explore other positions just in case.

“Very well, I think I am the go-to guy when it comes to catching the ball,” Cobb said. “Any routes that need to be ran I can do it. Back in high school they used to say I was too small to play running back and that I needed to learn to do other things. I learned how to catch the ball out of the backfield and it’s something I have been learning and getting better at ever since.”

Offseason, running back room

The offseason was what Cobb needed to put on some extra weight. He was used to people calling him too small to be an SEC running back. That is not the case anymore.

“It’s been beneficial, I have gained a lot of weight, gotten faster definitely,” Cobb said. “I had a hamstring problem that started last year, but I think I’m done with that, been going to treatment. Just been getting bigger and faster. It’s been really beneficial.”

“Right now I fluctuate from about 205 to 200, so probably about 5-10 pounds.”

Cobb’s personality lends to being the top dog in the room. He is ready to keep working at that goal.

“It definitely was frustrating, but I was a young cat. Just sitting there learning and getting experience was enough for me,” Cobb said. “Hopefully this year I will prove myself to put me in more games.”

What has Cobb learned from being behind Jarquez Hunter and the other experienced backs in the room?

“Definitely just the way he plays,” Cobb said. “He’s not scared of anybody. Doesn’t matter if they are bigger than him, he just goes out there and plays football. I have learned from him it doesn’t matter how big you are just go out there and do your thing.”

“Just how confident they are. That’s something I had to pick up on. Last year I wasn’t confident going into the practices. It will help you play your game smoother. That’s something I have learned from them.”