Tank Bigsby and Cadillac Williams have built a special relationship thanks to a shared experience that they recalled during recent interviews with CBS Sports.

“We had a lot in common about our lives, our background,” Bigsby said. “What we’ve been through. Growing up, our moms struggling from a household just with your mom. Dad (is) not there. My dad is in prison right now. Just having the background about our families, just had that connection, so it was kind of big when we first met.”

Bigsby has rushed for 251 yards this season with 4 touchdowns, which is sixth in the SEC in yards and tied for second in touchdowns.

Williams, Auburn’s running backs coach, describes it as a father-son relationship in that he cares for Bigsby’s well-being and what Bigsby wants to accomplish in life to not only change the trajectory for himself, but also his family.

“Me and him have a lot in common,” Williams said.

Bigsby sees Williams as a coach who can teach the current Auburn running back things he learned.

“It was kind of major, it was big, just having a coach who’s been there,” Bigsby said.