Tank Bigsby shares advice for fellow Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter

The Auburn Tigers starting running back Tank Bigsby was one of the university’s representatives for 2022 SEC Media Days. During his time on the podium, the junior running back gave everyone an insider’s perspective of the Tigers offseason thus far. Bigsby also shared the advice he has given fellow Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter in preparation for the upcoming season.

“Jarquez Hunter, he’s a great guy, great running back. In the off-season, this offseason, we have all been working,” said Bigsby. “He’s been working hard, doing what he is supposed to be doing—caring for himself the way he is supposed to and putting the work in. That’s all that matters. If you put the work in, the job is going to be easy.”

As a true freshman with the Tigers, Hunter was a solid second option in their running game. When Bigsby, as the feature back, needed a breather or two, Hunter provided Auburn with solid, consistent play. The Philadelphia, MS, native recorded 89 rushing attempts for 593 yards and three touchdowns. He also had the team’s longest play from scrimmage in their second game of the season against Alabama State, a 94-yard touchdown scamper.

With Bigsby packing on some bulk this summer and Hunter’s speed and agility, the duo could form a formidable backfield at Auburn. The type of tandem the school has not seen since the days that running back coach Cadillac Williams shared the backfield with Ronnie Brown jr. Both of them ended up becoming top-five picks in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Bigsby shoots down protein question with perfect answer

During the offseason, college football players often change their physique to help them be more impactful at their given position. For the Auburn Tigers, running back Tank Bigsby has noticeably packed on some size for the upcoming 2022 season. That increase in bulk had the SEC Network crew curious about what kind of protein Bigsby used to assist him in his transformation. And the Tigers star running back had the perfect response to that question.

“Well I don’t take protein. I don’t take protein. I just work hard. Coming from the background I come from where all I knew was hard work, then coming to a program with a coach that knows hard work, it’s different. And we just work hard and we get the results we want when you work hard.”

Bigsby and the Tigers had a rough go at it in their first season under head coach Bryan Harsin. After going 6-2 in the first eight games, Auburn went into a tailspin to end the season. They dropped their last five games, including a four-overtime loss to the eventual SEC champions and in-state rival, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Despite the Tigers’ struggles, Bigsby was still able to rush for more than 1,000 yards (1,099), and he eclipsed the double-digit touchdown mark (10).

With his new physique, the junior running back plans on improving from last year. Regardless of protein he did or didn’t take, Bigsby has packed on the size to be a dominant running force in the SEC this upcoming season.