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The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch list for the Maxwell Award on July 29. The Maxwell is awarded to the nation's best college football player, and Auburn senior running back Jarquez Hunter has landed amongst the 80 players named to the watch list.
The award has been quarterback-dominated since 2000, and a running back hasn't won since Alabama's Derrick Henry ran for 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2015. So, is there a path for Hunter to be the first non-QB to win the award since Devonta Smith in 2020?
Hunter's Impressive Performance
Putting up the numbers required to garner the attention needed to be a finalist for the Maxwell shouldn't be a problem for the senior out of Philadelphia, Miss. Hunter has rushed for a career 2,170 yards and 17 touchdowns on a modest 352 carries. Most of those carries came in his first two seasons when he shared the backfield with eventual Jacksonville Jaguars draft pick, Tank Bigsby. And all 352 carries have come in arguably the most dysfunctional offensive seasons in Auburn history.
Auburn starting quarterbacks ranked in the bottom half of the SEC in terms of yardage in all three years of Hunter's career, and as a consequence, Hunter has had to gain his 2,170 yards and career 6.1 yards per carry average against consistent eight-man boxes.
Massive additions to the roster and a coaching move could be just what the doctor ordered for Hunter to break out in 2024.
Offensive Additions
Auburn hasn't had a 1,000-yard receiver since Ronny Daniels in 1999. The position group as a whole has been historically lackluster for the Tigers, especially here of late. But after an exceptional offseason of additions through recruiting and the Transfer Portal, the Tigers could flip that narrative on its head.
Head coach Hugh Freeze and Auburn signed the "Freeze Four" out of high school. Four big-name receivers led by five-star and A-Day darling Cam Coleman (4 receptions, 92 yards and 1 touchdown), and former Alabama five-star commit Perry Thompson. The Tigers expect the youngsters to make an immediate impact in the fall.
Joining the young group are veteran transfers Robert Lewis out of Georgia State, converted California Golden Bears quarterback Sam Jackson V and 2023 Penn State leading receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Jackson and Lewis are veteran players who project to contribute from the slot. Lambert-Smith is a true game-changer, capable of impacting the game from anywhere on the field, and is likely to line up opposite Cam Coleman in the starting lineup.
If the young guys can acclimate to the college game quickly, and the transfers can assimilate to their new team fluently, Freeze and quarterback Payton Thorne should have plenty of options to help expand the passing game. And an improved passing game should lend to lighter boxes for Hunter.
Offensive Line Help
The offensive line has drawn ire at Auburn since the road graders of 2013 left. But even after losing four starters from the 2023 lineup, the Tigers expect to roll out their most talented group in years come August. Mississippi State transfer Percy Lewis brings size and athleticism, as well as his experience to The Plains. Lewis will slot in at the left tackle position which will allow incumbent starter Dillon Wade to bump to one of the vacated guard positions.
Connor Lew earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team and is a player with legit NFL potential. Lew will lock down the center position. Auburn also returns Tate Johnson, Jeremiah Wright and Jaden Muskrat. All three players saw action in every game last season.
Additionally, the Tigers added a talented collection of highly touted recruits in Favour Edwin, DeAndre Carter, Seth Wilfred and Ronan Chambers. Wilfred was a highly sought-after junior college target and will be classified as a sophomore. Carter is a player Freeze calls a future NFL inside guy.
Auburn could boast a legitimate two-deep offensive line this season, and obviously an improved offensive line would be positive for Hunter's pursuit of the Maxwell.
Path to the Maxwell
Hunter rushed for 909 yards on 159 carries and seven touchdowns in his first season as lead back in 2023. That production came after missing the first game and running in an inept offense.
Freeze is widely respected as a coach for many reasons, but specifically for his play calling. He chose to forego play-calling duties last season, with former Tulsa head coach Phillip Montgomery as his offensive coordinator. That marriage wasn't copacetic, and the Auburn offense suffered for it. Freeze relieved Montgomery of his responsibilities in the offseason.
Freeze replaced Montgomery with long-time Ole Miss assistant, Derrick Nix. Freeze has maintained that play-calling duties will be shared between him, Nix and quarterbacks coach Ken Austin. But regardless of who is pulling the trigger, there should be a substantial upgrade in offensive cohesion in 2024. That cohesion, along with Freeze's extra attention, will lead to production. Production for the Auburn offense, and production that could specifically lend to Jarquez Hunter landing an invitation to Atlanta as a Maxwell finalist.
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