Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter to return in 2024
Auburn starting running back Jarquez Hunter has announced he will “run it back” for another year at Auburn in 2024. His future status was up in the air, but he has now made his decision. Auburn returns its star running back for 2024.
Hunter rushed for 909 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, bringing his career total to 2,170 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in three seasons. He has also added 47 catches, 403 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns in his career so far. He topped 90 rushing yards in four of Auburn’s last five games, including topping 100 yards in three of the last five games.
Hunter talks about 2024 offensive outlook
Hunter was impressed with the progression of the Tigers’ run game in year one of the Hugh Freeze era.
“The run game, we started dominating in the run game. Everybody did a good job and made things happen,” Hunter said of the Tigers’ improvements in the second half of the season. “We just had to go out there and compete. I think next season, the offense is going to be real special and we’re going to go out there and dominate. We have the talent to beat a lot of people and be in the playoff run.”
Hunter believes that Payton Thorne is the right guy at quarterback moving forward. He saw Thorne settle in as the season went on.
“I think beginning of the season, everybody started rocky. The second half of the season, everybody started clicking and started going together. He got better with his reads and progressions, and just kept having fun and playing the game, and controlling the offense.”
Nick Saban on Jarquez Hunter
During the season before the Iron Bowl, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban was asked about the strategy to stopping Auburn’s run game and Jarquez Hunter.
“It’s a little bit of what I just said about staying in the right places and adjusting correctly to the formations and motions and adjustments and unbalanced and all that kind of stuff,” Saban said before pivoting to Hunter. “But this guy runs hard, he’s physical, he’s hard to tackle.
