As the Auburn Tigers gear up for the 2026 season, the running back room is shaping up to be a major source of strength and intrigue. With a blend of veteran leadership and exciting new talent, the competition for carries promises to be fierce this spring.

The backfield will be anchored by returning senior Jeremiah Cobb, who is expected to assume the lead back role. Cobb's experience and production make him the likely starter, providing a reliable foundation for the Tigers' ground attack.

However, he won't be without challengers. Auburn has aggressively bolstered its depth through the transfer portal, adding junior Bryson Washington from Baylor, senior Tae Meadows from Troy, and sophomore Nykahi Davenport from USF. Each brings a unique skill set and will be vying for significant snaps, most likely competing for the crucial second-string position.

They're joined by a core of returning sophomores—Omar Mabson II, Cole Gamble, and Chris Burnette—along with redshirt freshman Alvin Henderson. This group of young, developing talent suggests the Tigers are building for sustained success in the run game for years to come.

Guiding this talented room is new running backs coach Larry Porter, who returns to The Plains after a stint at West Virginia. Porter, familiar with Auburn from his time on Gus Malzahn's staff, inherits a group eager to prove itself.

The philosophy is clear from the top. New head coach Alex Golesh has already declared his offensive intentions, stating emphatically, "We’re going to run the heck out of the ball." He emphasized that a physical, effective run game is the cornerstone of his offensive vision, regardless of the league.

With eight capable backs on the roster, Auburn has assembled the personnel to fulfill that vision. The spring practices will be the first critical test to see how this deep and talented committee sorts itself out, setting the tone for a ground game that aims to wear down opponents in the seasons to come.