Two running backs splitting first-team carries at Auburn
The race to replace Peyton Barber is well underway at Auburn, but as of Friday, coach Gus Malzahn is taking a by-committee approach between rising senior Jovon Robinson and junior Roc Thomas.
“(Robinson) and Roc are getting a lot of carries with that first group,” Malzahn told AL.com following Thursday’s spring practice.
In 2015, Barber — who declared early for the 2016 NFL Draft — took 238 carries for 1,017 yards (4.3 ypc) and 13 touchdowns. Robinson returns after producing the team’s second-highest output of 639 yards and three scores, while Thomas added an additional 261 yards and a TD to boot.
Robinson broke out with a 27-carry, 126-yard performance against Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl and arguably has the best shot to receive the most workload this upcoming season.
“Jovon looks amazing right now,” H-back Kamryn Pettway said. “I know there are some things we all still have to work on, but he looks real good. I think the big game in the Birmingham Bowl gave him a lot of confidence and momentum going into the spring and next season.
“Roc’s looked good also,” Pettway said. “With Peyton leaving I think everybody has another step up we have to make. Roc’s looked good too.”