The SEC has long been known for producing elite running backs, and in 2026, it looks like we’re heading for a full-blown revival. Auburn is right in the thick of it.
With the transfer portal now closed, we’ve got a much clearer picture of what the landscape looks like for next fall - and Auburn fans have reason to be excited. The Tigers are returning a key piece in Jeremiah Cobb, a back who showed serious flashes last season and now steps into the lead role in Alex Golesh and Joel Gordon’s offense. Cobb isn’t just a returning starter - he’s a potential workhorse in a system that’s ready to lean on him.
But Auburn didn’t stop there. They went into the portal and landed Bryson Washington from Baylor, adding another dynamic option to the backfield. That’s a one-two punch that could give the Tigers their most complete rushing attack since the days when Auburn was a regular threat in the SEC West.
And it’s not just Auburn making noise. The entire conference seems to be reloading at the running back position.
Georgia brings in Nate Frazier, Tennessee returns DeSean Bishop, Florida has Jadan Baugh, Ole Miss adds Kewan Lacy, and Missouri is rolling with Ahmad Hardy. That’s a deep group of backs, and it’s not just about talent - it’s about fit.
These are backs stepping into systems built to showcase them.
Texas, now officially in the SEC, flipped Hollywood Smothers from Alabama - a move that turned heads and added even more firepower to the conference’s backfield arsenal. It’s not hard to see why some are calling this the beginning of a new era for SEC rushing attacks.
There’s a sense of déjà vu here. Back in 2017, the SEC entered the season loaded at running back, and that year ended with an all-SEC national title game.
No one’s crowning the 2026 version just yet, but the parallels are hard to ignore. After a few years where the quarterback position stole the spotlight - and questions swirled about the SEC’s offensive identity - the pendulum might be swinging back toward the ground game.
And for Auburn, that could be the key to unlocking something special.
Let’s be clear: there are still questions on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers lost impact players at all three levels - on the line, at linebacker, and in the secondary.
But there’s a foundation here. Auburn has recruited well on defense for years, and while there may be some growing pains, the system is in place.
What’s different this time is the offensive potential. Golesh and Gordon bring a proven offensive blueprint, and while their success at USF might not have grabbed national headlines, their ability to develop quarterbacks and build creative run-first schemes is well documented. Add in Byrum Brown at quarterback - a dual-threat who can keep defenses honest - and suddenly you’ve got the makings of a balanced, explosive offense.
Of course, Auburn fans have heard this before. Under Bryan Harsin and Hugh Freeze, there were plenty of “if everything clicks” seasons that never quite materialized. The Tigers have made a habit of losing close games since the pandemic era - games they used to win, even when things were chaotic behind the scenes.
But if there’s one constant in Auburn’s football DNA, it’s a strong running game. From Bo Jackson to Cadillac Williams to Kerryon Johnson, Auburn has always been at its best when it can run the ball with authority. And in 2026, that formula might be back in style - not just on the Plains, but across the entire SEC.
So yes, there’s still work to do. But with Cobb and Washington in the backfield, a creative offensive staff in place, and a conference that suddenly feels like it's returning to its ground-and-pound roots, Auburn might just have the pieces to make some noise this fall. The Tigers aren’t just hoping to keep up - they’re looking to lead the charge in the SEC’s running back renaissance.