Auburn plans on rotating running backs in 2018, and running backs coach Tim Horton has singled out his two backs that will be getting the majority of playing time when they open the season against No. 6 Washington on Sept. 1.

“We have had two players at this point that have kind of separated themselves, that would be Kam Martin and (JaTarvious) Whitlow,” Horton said.

As a rising junior, Martin has a leg-up on the other backs in terms of experience. Last season, he rushed for 453 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Horton likes the idea of using multiple running backs however.

“We want to play more than one guy, we know that, we wanted to do that last year, we wanted to do that the year before, because of the pounding element.”

That “pounding” element is a big reason why redshirt freshman Whitlow has stood out to coach Horton.

“He is a very physical kid. He loves contact,” Horton said. “He thrives on the physical part of the game.”

Whoever Auburn’s primary back becomes, you can bet that he’ll have big numbers. Since Gus Malzahn became Auburn’s head coach in 2013, the Tigers have had at least one 1,000-yard rusher every year.

You can watch the full interview with coach Horton below, courtesy of Jason Caldwell: