Jeremiah Cobb on competing in Auburn's crowded RB room, 'sticking' with the Tigers and more
AUBURN — Finding time in Auburn’s running back room isn’t easy at the moment. Jarquez Hunter, Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb all return from last season, with Hunter entering his senior season, Alston entering his junior season, and Cobb hoping to break out during his sophomore campaign.
“It’s been very beneficial. I came real close to those guys, we’re brothers now. They teach me everything. They help me keep my head up, help me go hard at practice every day and give it my all,” Cobb said. “And they definitely helped me a lot as a freshman, helped me grow a lot.”
Cobb continued about the running back room, “it’s very difficult to compete, but it’s amazing to be in a room like that and just all of us pushing each other to be the best. It’s just going to work out for all of us in the end. We all want a lot of carries, but we all do want to win, so we all know it’s beneficial for all of us just in and out and help save our legs.”
Cobb finished last season with 172 yards rushing and four total touchdowns. To build on that, developing physically and mentally will be critical.
“Definitely getting bigger and definitely just working and knowing the whole offense and all the play calls and everything, protection wise and run scheme,” Cobb said of what he’s focused on.
And what about Hugh Freeze‘s comment about the biggest difference from last year to this year being your “thighs?”
“Yes. I’ve been working out with ‘Ja’ (Jarquez), and he’ll make you squat, so I’ve been squatting with him, and I’ve just been working with him the whole time. It’s been fun getting bigger,” Cobb said.
There is a new running backs coach and offensive coordinator in Derrick Nix this season. So far, so good between Nix and his stable of backs.
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“Coach Nix, it’s been amazing. He’s a real smart coach. He teaches us everything on the field, and he just pushes us every day at practice,” Cobb said.
Cobb is currently running with the “third team” at running back during practice, behind Hunter and Alston. All three are expected to play and contribute behind a revamped offensive line that Cobb is very pleased with.
“Definitely an improvement,” he said of the core of Connor Lew, Percy Lewis, Izavion Miller, Dillon Wade and Jeremiah Wright. “Those guys are moving bodies up there and executing everything, so it’s going to be a big difference.”
Auburn averaged 189 yards rushing per game last season, good for 4th in the SEC.
During the transition from Bryan Harsin to Freeze, and certainly following last season, Cobb had his opportunities to leave. A crowded backfield at Auburn, plus Cobb’s obvious talents, made the situation one that other programs were following closely.
In the end, Cobb seems pleased to be back for another season to help revive the Tigers’ program.
“I’m glad I stuck with it. I’m glad to stick with coach Freeze and the guys in the running back room, and it’s definitely a big change in talent on every position,” Cobb said. “Defense, offense, everywhere.”
