Auburn’s backfield is crowded heading into the 2026 season, but Omar Mabson II has carved out a real lane for himself in preseason camp.
The sophomore from Auburn has been working as the No. 2 running back behind Jeremiah Cobb, even though he doesn’t bring the same level of experience as Bryson Washington, Nykahi Davenport or Tae Meadows. What has stood out this offseason is how quickly Mabson has earned the staff’s trust.
That growth started from an unusual place. Mabson reclassified before arriving at Auburn last season, which meant he opened his freshman year at 17 years old. After a year of added strength and a better feel for what it takes to play the position, he says the game already looks different to him.
“I’d probably say in my pass protections. Just being able to ID the fronts better, just ID the defense better,” Mabson said when asked how he’s grown since last season.
“Also, just a recovery mindset. Being a freshman, not kind of having an idea of what real recovery looks like.
But since then, it’s been way better.”
Even without a starting job, Mabson got real work last season. He stepped into the backup role after Damari Alston left the program and appeared in 10 games.
He finished with 71 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, and added four catches for 42 yards.
“I feel like it was crucial,” Mabson said when asked about the importance of getting game experience. “The only way that you can learn things is to experience things. At the end of the day, I think that was crucial for me to learn and get better each and every day.”
For a young running back, pass protection can be the difference between staying on the field and watching from the sideline, and that’s an area where Mabson has started to stand out. Running backs coach Larry Porter values that part of the job, and Mabson appears to have embraced it.
Porter has also pointed to Mabson’s consistency, another trait that doesn’t always show up first when people talk about young backs. Put that together with his physical maturity, and Mabson has a legitimate chance to earn a meaningful role this season.
“You know what you’re getting every single day out of that kid, and as a coach you can greatly appreciate that because that’s the expectation of every guy on this team,” Porter said. “So, what you’re hearing from the other coaches is a great appreciation for the way that he comes to work.”
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For now, Auburn is still sorting out its backfield pecking order, with Jeremiah Cobb and Omar Mabson getting the first crack ahead of him. Washingtons challenge is to turn a late start into a real push before the season begins, especially with camp reps being the main proving ground for a player trying to force his way into the rotation. [Read more 🡒]