Auburn football will have several key position battles this fall with the running back being one of the most crucial.

Senior Damari Alston took majority of the first team reps during spring practices with Jeremiah Cobb working with the second team.

Alston has the early edge to being the day one starter as Auburn coach Hugh Freeze noted he’s one of the leaders in the locker room.

“On the offensive side, Damari Alston, for sure, and Jeremiah Wright, Connor Lew are doing really well,” Freeze said following A-Day. “I been pleased with the guys that are that need to be, the vocal guys, and how they lead.”

With 681 career yards and four touchdowns with the Tigers, Alston is set to pick up where former running back Jarquez Hunter left off in leading the Tigers rush attack.

“His work ethic was contagious. I feel like me and Jeremiah picked up on that coming into this season,” Alston said when talking about Hunter. “He brought us with him into the weight room every chance he got. so, I have been carrying that ever since.”

“Our goal is to have no drop-off,” Alston added. “Knowing Jarquez is leaving we know we have the talent in this room to do what we do best. I feel like Auburn will always be RBU and we are here to carry that on.”

When analyzing Cobb, Alston said he’s had one of the best spring sessions alongside freshman quarterback Deuce Knight. Cobb was used a lot on special teams last season. However, he believes this year will be his breakout season in the backfield.

“It’s awesome. I’m always following behind Damari and the way he leads and practices,” Cobb said. “I see myself being a guy that is going to make plays this year and I’m going to do that the best way I can.”

Freshman running back Alvin Henderson participated in his first spring since signing with Auburn last December. The Tigers also brought in former UConn running back Durell Robinson in the transfer portal.

Robinson did not participate in the spring due to a leg injury. Freeze says him sitting out is hurting his overall assessment on the running back rotation ahead of fall camp.

“I wish he were out there so I’d know a little bit more about our depth there. That’s a position where you can lose a guy pretty quick, or two guys pretty quick to an ankle or something,” Freeze said. “Obviously we loved what we saw on tape, and we love his size. We think he can do it all. I sure wish he were out there — we feel very good about Jeremiah and very good about Damari, for sure.”

In regards of Henderson, he had some great reps with the third team during the Tigers A-Day open practice last weekend. Alston broke down the things he’s pouring into the Henderson as the youngest member in the position group.

“We are upholding the standard. When you come here you got to come ready to work,” Alston said. “We got to stand ten toes on everything we do on and off the field. So, I’m making sure I’m that example for him.”

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].