Auburn offensive coordinator Joel Gordon talks running backs
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Alex Golesh has quickly embraced Auburn football's legacy of running the football and is working to rebuild the Tigers' offense back into the "ground and pound" personality it was once known for.
Auburn's running back room will have plenty of eyes on it as preseason camp continues over the next several weeks, including Joel Gordon, who is evaluating the unit for the first time as the Tigers' offensive coordinator. The early front-runner to take on the most carries this season is Jeremiah Cobb, who showed promise by nearly eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in rushing yards last season after assuming the role from Damari Alston.
The rotation after Cobb remains wide open, and Gordon hopes to find answers ahead of Auburn's season opener on Sept. 4.
“Everybody knows that (Jeremiah) Cobb is the guy that's coming back in that room that has proven he's a really good football player, and he was really consistent in this program a year ago. After that, there are a lot of question marks, to be honest," Gordon said of Auburn's running back room.
There is no shortage of talent in Auburn's running back room, as a pair of 600-plus-yard rushers in Bryson Washington and Tae Meadows join the unit alongside young talent Omar Mabson and Alvin Henderson. Head coach Alex Golesh complimented Mabson earlier this week, saying the sophomore is "on a mission" to earn an important role in the Tigers' offense this season. Gordon echoed those claims by saying that Mabson is faster and smoother with every rep.
"Since we walked through the door, (Mabson) has been as consistent as anybody on our side of the ball," Gordon said. "He loves Auburn. He works his butt off, and that's physically and mentally. He's a great teammate; he's a leader for us, and he has gotten better even though we are not playing against anybody throughout the summertime."
The running back room will continue to be evaluated as camp continues in hopes of putting the correct players in the best situations to make Auburn football's season a success. Auburn opens its season on Sept. 4 against the Baylor Bears in Atlanta as part of the 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn offensive coordinator Joel Gordon talks running backs
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