Jarquez Hunter sends statistics unlike any freshman since ’09

Perhaps the most significant thing about the opening of the Auburn football season on Saturday was how well Bo Nix played, but after that is the clinic that Tigers ’back shoes put on. If the first half was a Tank Bigsby show, the second half was a Jarquez Hunter show.

A true freshman from Philadelphia, Mississippi hit the field in the third quarter and showed his impressive speed and driving. Hunter had only nine rush attempts playing 110 yards and one touch, which made him behind Tigers ’second-leading striker Bigsby.

He was incredibly physical, reminiscent of Shaun Shivers against Alabama. Most interestingly, Hunter is the first freshman in Auburn football to have released a more than 100-yard season opener since Ontario McCalebb in 2009. McCalebb amassed 148 yards between his debut and Louisiana Tech.

110 yards against Akron, Jarquez Hunter is in 1st place @AuburnFootball the freshman sends a 100-yard busy game at the opening of the season after Onterio McCalebb (148 yards vs. La Tech in 2009.)

The last Auburn Fr. to rush 100 yards at the season opener before McCalebb? Bo Jackson v Wake Forest in 1982.

– Scott Scroggins (@ScrogginsNoggin) September 5, 2021

Hunter joins an elite company in McCalebb and Bo Jackson, and it’s even better if Hunter is named a 3-star recruiter. Hunter committed to Auburn football back in February, choosing the program instead of the state of Mississippi, South Miss, Iowa and Memphis. He was one of Harsin’s most important targets from the beginning.

According to PFF Via Auburn Wire, Jarquez Hunter was the top player in Auburn football at the season opener:

Hunter received a 92.4 rating on the PFF. He did better than Tank Bigsby 91.4 and Bo Nix 91.2.

It’s worth it that presenter Shaun Shivers called Auburn “RBU” after a 6-10 win. It looks like the plans for a real freshman to take part in Tank Bigsby’s load work fantastically.