Jarquez Hunter may be the returning starter, but Brian “Bam” Cobb is making it clear that he doesn’t plan on being just another name on the Auburn Tigers’ depth chart this fall.
Cobb, a redshirt freshman with a bruising frame, impressive burst, and a chip on his shoulder, has spent the offseason attacking every rep with a singular goal in mind: earn a bigger role in the Auburn backfield. It’s a loaded running back room under head coach Hugh Freeze, but Cobb’s relentless drive, physicality, and versatility have quietly begun to separate him from the pack.
He came to Auburn as a three-star recruit, largely overlooked on the national scene. While others in his class garnered more attention, Cobb kept his head down and went to work. That blue-collar mindset fits perfectly with the program’s identity. Known for producing legendary backs like Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown, Kerryon Johnson, and Tank Bigsby, Auburn has a history of turning hungry underdogs into household names. Cobb has every intention of being the next one.
This spring, that hunger has turned into production. Cobb has made the most of his opportunities, drawing praise from coaches and teammates alike for his explosiveness and attention to detail. Offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery has hinted that the young back is “hard to ignore” and “makes things happen every time he touches the ball.” That kind of consistency has made him a real contender for more than just mop-up duty.
There’s also an edge to Cobb’s game that has teammates buzzing. He runs angry. He blocks with bad intentions. And perhaps most importantly in a Freeze-Montgomery offense that demands versatility, he catches the ball naturally out of the backfield. Auburn’s offensive staff has taken note. With the Tigers aiming to push the tempo more in 2025 and involve their backs heavily in the passing game, Cobb is positioning himself as more than just a change-of-pace option. He’s showing that he can do it all—and do it well.
What makes Cobb’s rise even more impressive is the fact that the Auburn backfield isn’t lacking talent. In addition to Hunter, who returns as the presumed bell-cow, the Tigers also brought in a pair of dynamic freshmen and boast a group of veterans with starting experience. On paper, there’s a logjam at the position. But football isn’t played on paper, and Cobb’s performance in practices and scrimmages is starting to reshape the internal depth chart conversation.
During Auburn’s first major scrimmage of the spring, Cobb took advantage of every touch. Whether bouncing outside for a 15-yard gain or lowering his shoulder in short-yardage situations, he consistently moved the chains. One coach described him as “the kind of back who keeps the offense on schedule.” That may sound like a modest compliment, but it’s gold in a run-heavy system like Auburn’s.
Teammates have taken notice of his physical transformation as well. Since arriving on campus, Cobb has packed on muscle and trimmed fat, working closely with Auburn’s strength staff to fine-tune his body for SEC football. Standing just under six feet and weighing in at a lean 212 pounds, he’s built to take a beating—and deliver one, too.
His work ethic is also elite. Multiple players have shared stories of Cobb staying late after practice to get extra reps, asking questions in meetings, and studying film obsessively. He’s not just trying to be a contributor—he’s trying to be great. And in a program that rewards effort and toughness, that mindset is already paying off.
For Cobb, the journey has never been about flash. It’s about trust. He knows that if the coaches trust him to protect the quarterback on third down, catch passes reliably, and hold onto the football, he’ll get his shot. And when he does, he plans to make it count.
One assistant coach put it this way: “There’s no hesitation with Bam. He hits the hole with conviction. He knows what he’s doing, and he does it fast. That’s rare for a young back.” In a conference known for defensive speed and physicality, that kind of decisiveness can be the difference between a two-yard gain and a game-breaking run.
Cobb’s emergence also provides Auburn with valuable insurance. The SEC is a brutal league, and depth is everything—especially at running back, where injuries are all but inevitable. Hunter is still expected to handle the bulk of the carries early on, but Auburn is clearly preparing for a scenario in which Cobb plays meaningful snaps in big games. And if spring ball is any indication, he’ll be ready.
His rise also underscores a larger truth about Auburn’s program under Hugh Freeze. The Tigers aren’t just looking for stars—they’re building a culture of competition. Freeze has made it clear that jobs will be won, not handed out. And for players like Cobb, that’s an invitation to thrive.
Off the field, Cobb carries himself with quiet confidence. He’s not one to seek the spotlight, but when asked about his goals, he doesn’t shy away from them. “I want to be a guy this team can count on—any situation, any down,” he said. “I’ve been working for this since the moment I got here. I’m not satisfied.”
That mentality resonates with the coaching staff. It’s one thing to want the ball. It’s another thing to prove that you’re ready for it, day in and day out. Cobb is doing that.
Fans got their first real look at him during the spring game, where he broke off a handful of impressive runs and showed soft hands in the passing game. While the final stats don’t tell the whole story, those who watched closely saw a player in total command of his assignments—and one who looked increasingly like a back who belongs on the field when the games count.
As fall camp approaches, the competition will only intensify. But Cobb welcomes it. In fact, he thrives on it. That internal fire—the belief that he has more to prove—might just be what elevates him from promising backup to trusted weapon.
Auburn’s offense is still evolving under Freeze and Montgomery, but one thing is clear: there’s a growing confidence in what Cobb can bring to the table. He’s tough. He’s talented. And perhaps most importantly, he’s earned the respect of the locker room.
If his current trajectory continues, don’t be surprised to see Cobb getting carries in meaningful moments this season. In a league where depth is tested weekly and unsung heroes often determine outcomes, his rise could be one of the more important storylines in Auburn’s 2025 campaign.
Cobb may not have been a household name when he arrived on campus. But if he continues to run like he practices—and practice like he means it—that’s going to change soon. In a backfield full of talent, he’s making the kind of statement that only hard work and performance can deliver.
For now, he’s just focused on the next rep. The next block. The next carry. Because for Brian “Bam” Cobb, every moment is an opportunity—and he has no plans on letting any of them slip away.