How Will Auburn Replace Jatarvious Whitlow?

He entered the transfer portal two weeks ago, after leading Auburn’s offense in rushing the past two seasons. During this time fans have wondered what the Tigers will do at running back. This year the one thing they have is options. Gus Malzahn often rides his tailbacks too much. This can be argued for Whitlow, as he had 122 fewer carries than the rest of the Auburn offense combined.

What Production is Leaving the Auburn Offense?

Whitlow has powered the Auburn offense, leading them in rushing each of the last two seasons. This is something no running back has done since 2013 (Tre Mason). He has been pretty consistent during this time, with 787 yards in 2018 and 763 in 2019. For his career, Whitlow has 327 touches for 1,829 total yards and 18 touchdowns in 24 games (5.6 yards per touch). Whitlow’s backups have gotten to get some snaps due to injuries, however.

Jatarvious Whitlow has played through several injuries during his Auburn career. He missed three games to an ankle injury in 2019 alone and battled shoulder and ankle problems in 2018. This leaves the Auburn offense in a better position than in previous years when the lead back left and left a huge experience gap behind him.

Who Will Step Up?

The depth behind Whitlow had to play a bigger role than in previous seasons due to injuries and an attempt by Malzahn to keep his backs fresh. D.J. Williams, a rising sophomore, stepped up in a big way for the Auburn offense, providing a spark to the team while Whitlow was out with a knee injury. Williams is the leading returning rusher, rushing for 400 yards and two touchdowns on 84 carries(4.7 yards per carry). Behind him, the production drops quite a bit. the next leading rusher (not named Bo Nix) is Shaun Shivers, who had 286 yards and three touchdowns playing a change-of-pace role in the Auburn offense.

The wild card in this rushing attack is always the non-running backs. Wide receivers Eli Stove and Anthony Schwartz just 18 carries but 175 yards and three touchdowns. Both contributors will be back next year, and this will provide the lift needed to get the young players at running back going in 2020.

With Bo Nix adding an element to the run game, coupled with an efficient passing attack and several outside rushing threats, the Auburn offense will be as good as it was in 2019, if not better.

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