Damari Alston Emerging as Leader of Auburn RB Room
The Auburn Tigers’ football program has long prided itself on a tradition of hard-nosed running backs who carry not just the ball, but the spirit and tenacity of the team itself. From legends like Bo Jackson and Cadillac Williams to more recent stars such as Kerryon Johnson and Tank Bigsby, the running back room at Auburn has historically been a sacred space—one of leadership, grit, and relentless effort.
In 2025, that sacred torch is being passed to Damari Alston, a junior whose rise to prominence has been marked not only by his physical growth and statistical improvement but also by an emerging leadership role that is setting the tone for the entire locker room. Once a talented recruit from Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, Alston has now stepped into the role of the face and voice of Auburn’s backfield—a room bursting with talent, but looking to Alston for direction and inspiration.
Early Promise and Recruitment Journey
Damari Alston’s journey to Auburn began long before he set foot on the Plains. Rated as a high three-star recruit and the No. 34 running back nationally by the 247Sports Composite in the 2022 recruiting class, Alston had offers from powerhouse programs including Florida, Michigan State, LSU, and Penn State. But it was Auburn that ultimately earned his commitment, thanks in part to the genuine family atmosphere that permeated the program and the vision pitched to him by then-running backs coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams.
Alston arrived on campus with high expectations but grounded humility. “I knew coming in that I wasn’t going to be handed anything,” he said in a media availability during spring camp. “I was going to have to work for everything. And that’s the way I wanted it.”
That mindset would serve him well in the competitive Auburn RB room, which already featured a seasoned star in Tank Bigsby and promising underclassmen like Jarquez Hunter.
Learning Under Tank Bigsby and Cadillac Williams
Alston’s freshman year was a period of adjustment and learning. With Bigsby carrying the bulk of the load, Alston used the opportunity to absorb everything he could from the older players and coaching staff. His work ethic, attention to detail, and eagerness to improve caught the attention of Coach Williams immediately.
“Damari is one of the most coachable kids I’ve been around,” Williams said at the time. “He asks the right questions, he watches film, and he works like a veteran even though he’s a freshman. That’s rare.”
Bigsby, who would later be drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, took Alston under his wing, mentoring him on how to be a professional in both preparation and mindset. The two often worked out together during the offseason, with Bigsby teaching Alston how to stay durable, how to read defenses pre-snap, and how to keep focused even during tough stretches of games or practices.
By the end of his freshman season, Alston had earned playing time in several games, showcasing glimpses of the power, balance, and vision that made him a coveted recruit. But it was clear that the best was yet to come.
Sophomore Surge and Mental Toughness
Alston entered the 2023 season as the presumed No. 2 running back behind Jarquez Hunter. However, injuries to the backfield and Alston’s own strong performances quickly elevated his role. Despite battling through a shoulder injury that sidelined him for parts of the season, he managed to tally 320 yards on 58 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per touch.
His breakout moment came in the Iron Bowl against Alabama. With the Tigers needing a spark, Alston exploded for 85 yards on just 10 carries, bruising defenders with punishing downhill runs and catching passes out of the backfield. His performance helped Auburn stay competitive in one of the most intense rivalries in college football.
“Damari plays with heart,” said Hugh Freeze after that game. “He’s not just running hard—he’s running with purpose. You can see it in the way he fights for extra yards. That’s a leader right there.”
And it wasn’t just Freeze who noticed. Alston was voted to Auburn’s “Culture Council,” a group of players entrusted with helping maintain and uphold the program’s values. Being selected as a sophomore spoke volumes about how his teammates viewed him—not just as a playmaker, but as someone who embodied Auburn’s core identity.
2024: Becoming “The Guy” in the RB Room
With Jarquez Hunter declaring early for the NFL Draft following the 2023 season, the 2024 campaign set the stage for Damari Alston to take over the running back room. And he embraced it.
Working closely with strength and conditioning coach Dominic Studzinski and running backs coach Cadillac Williams, Alston transformed his body in the offseason. He gained muscle mass, increased his lateral agility, and focused on explosive movements to make him more dangerous as a dual-threat weapon.
Alston’s attention to detail paid off. He rushed for 276 yards and three touchdowns on 52 carries during the 2024 season, but numbers alone didn’t tell the full story. His presence in blitz pickup, his maturity in clock management, and his sideline leadership were intangibles that coaches raved about.
“He’s the heartbeat of the offense,” said offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery. “He holds guys accountable, and he brings intensity to every meeting, every lift, every practice.”
His leadership extended beyond game days. Alston frequently gathered the running backs for film study outside of scheduled practice hours. He even initiated team dinners at local restaurants, helping foster unity and camaraderie.
Training Like a Champion
One of the hallmarks of Damari Alston’s development has been his offseason regimen. Rather than training solely with the team, Alston spent time in Atlanta during breaks working with Marquell Beckwith, a former Troy standout and private trainer known for his work with elite-level backs.
With Beckwith, Alston focused on biomechanics, pad level, and what he called “controlled violence”—the ability to deliver hits while maintaining body control. He also emphasized footwork drills and route-running to become more of a receiving threat out of the backfield.
“We’re not training to be anybody’s backup,” Alston said in a preseason interview. “We’re training to dominate. I don’t want to just play—I want to be remembered.”
Recruiting the Future, Representing the Brand
Beyond his performance on the field, Alston has become a key recruiter for Auburn football. Whether hosting official visitors or simply sending out DMs to promising high school players, Alston has taken it upon himself to help sell the program to future stars.
“I tell them the truth,” he said. “Auburn’s not for everybody. But if you want to work, if you want to be part of something real—something bigger than yourself—this is the place. And I’ll help you every step of the way.”
His role in recruiting has drawn praise from Freeze and the recruiting staff, who see Alston as a walking ambassador for Auburn football.
A Quiet Storm in NIL Era
In the name-image-likeness (NIL) era, many athletes have used their platform for commercial success. While Alston has capitalized on several NIL opportunities, he’s been notably quiet compared to some peers. That’s by design.
“I’m not chasing the bag,” Alston said. “The money’s nice, but legacy is what lasts. I want my teammates and coaches to remember me as someone who gave everything.”
That humility, combined with work ethic and toughness, has made Alston one of the most respected players in the SEC—even if he doesn’t always dominate headlines.
Setting the Standard
Now in his junior season, Alston has become the undisputed leader of the running back room. But he’s not resting. With a new crop of talent entering Auburn—true freshman Khalil Ford, JUCO transfer Bryson Everett, and redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Cobb—Alston sees his leadership responsibilities growing.
“They’re hungry, and they’re talented,” he said. “My job is to show them how to do things the Auburn way.”
Cobb in particular has credited Alston for helping him transition to the pace and complexity of the college game. “Damari’s always in my corner,” Cobb said. “He’s teaching me how to prepare like a pro. That’s leadership you can’t fake.”
Looking Ahead: 2025 Season and NFL Aspirations
As Auburn looks to rebound from a disappointing 7–6 campaign last season, Alston is focused on helping bring the Tigers back into SEC contention. With the offensive line maturing and more stability in the quarterback room, the pieces are in place for Auburn to surprise people in 2025—and Alston will be central to that resurgence.
NFL scouts have taken notice. While he may not have the gaudy numbers of some other backs, his vision, football IQ, and leadership are traits that evaluators love. He’s projected as a mid-round pick in early mock drafts, with the potential to rise if he puts together a strong final season.