The way Gus Malzahn tells it, the new faces at running back on The Plains look to give Auburn plenty of options this season.
Redshirt freshman Mark-Antony Richards has been generating plenty of buzz during Auburn’s ongoing training camp, and along with touted true freshman Tank Bigsby in the backfield, the Tigers look to have one of the most talented running back rooms in the SEC with Shaun Shivers and DJ Williams also returning for another season.
During his most recent media availability, Auburn’s coach was quick to praise the ability of Richards and Bigsby following the team’s most recent scrimmage.
“I will tell you, both of them have play-making ability,” Malzahn said on Saturday. “They can create big plays. We have seen that throughout practice. Both those guys can catch the ball out of the backfield. Which been one of Chad’s emphases, getting the ball out in the passing game to our running backs.”
While Malzahn noted that Shivers had one of the more impressive plays from Saturday’s scrimmage (an 80-yard touchdown reception), it sounds like the two young running backs are working toward earning a place on the field for the Tigers.
“Those two guys are getting experienced,” Malzahn said. “They are learning every day.”
Auburn’s coach also noted that adding those two playmakers to the running back room definitely has Cadillac Williams happy.
“Just the overall running back room, I think Cadillac is really impressed with the group as a whole with just their attitude, their work ethic,” Malzahn continued. “Right now he is rotating a lot of them. I know Shivers has been with the ones. DJ has been with the ones and twos, but he likes the overall depth he has.”
Photo Credit: Auburn Football
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
