Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
Size:
Height: 5093
Weight: 204
Arm: 30”
Hand: 9 ½”
Accomplishments:
Second-Team All-SEC (2023)
“Jarquez Hunter is a scheme-versatile, explosive back who can make defenders miss in tight spaces running in between the tackles but can also create explosive plays by running through arm tackles on the perimeter.”
Strengths:
Vision
Quick accelerator/explosive
Lateral agility
Contact balance/breaking tackles
Concerns:
Size
Pass protection
Role-specific
Film Analysis:
Jarquez Hunter finishes his Auburn career as the third leading rusher in school history with the 2024 season being his most productive, rushing for more than 1,200 yards. Hunter is a four-year high-level contributor to the Auburn offense who has gone through many scheme and coaching changes. Throughout his career, Hunter has proven to be a versatile running back, producing in different schemes and having a career average of more than 6.0 yards per carry. Hunter possesses a nice blend of burst, contact balance, and vision that makes him a threat to rip off a big gain running the football—the defense has to account for him.
From the handoff, Hunter has good vision, surveying the line of scrimmage from the backside to frontside to find a vacant hole. Hunter's vision pairs up well with his athleticism in that any hole he identifies as open he can get to by stringing together jump-cuts and lateral movements to get there. Once in a hole, Hunter can condense his frame, lower his pad level, and accelerate through the hole, showcasing his burst and acceleration. Hunter runs with good pad height and his stature is a beneficial tool for him running through any potential initial contact. Reaching the second level of the defense, Hunter has the option to lower his pads, run through defenders, and pick up tough yardage. Alternatively, he can make an explosive lateral cut to make a defender miss and continue to accelerate vertically up the field to pick up yards. In the open field, Hunter is a quick accelerator and can easily convert big chunk plays on the ground. Hunter is an exciting runner who can create for himself and make the defense pay for any lack of integrity in their defensive structure.
In the passing game, Hunter can be a productive receiver. He’s utilized on traditional running back routes but also has been split out wide to potentially create offensive mismatches.
Hunter's concern as a player has to do with his overall size. Hunter is a plus-level runner in between the tackles and runs with physicality. But because of his willingness to get into physical contact situations with multiple defenders, the concern is that it will create wear and tear on his body. The question for Hunter's draft stock is can he hold up to be an RB1 and handle a heavy workload? Or, due to his size, will he have to be a part of a running back by committee?
Overall, Hunter is a very skilled running back who has the natural instincts combined with physical tools to be a productive rusher in the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Oklahoma (2024), Georgia (2024), Texas A&M (2024), Alabama (2024), Alabama (2023), Arkansas (2023), Ole Miss (2023), Missouri (2023)
