So, what if Jarquez Hunter can’t play for Auburn this season

At this point — after one fall camp practice and a month before the season begins — what do we know about Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter?
Well, it starts now with his absence from Auburn’s first practice of fall camp Thursday. Not only was he not in uniform, he didn’t appear to be around the facility at all. He is still listed on Auburn’s roster as of Thursday.
The saga began with a leaked sex tape during the offseason that allegedly includes Hunter and potentially involved other players.
After the video was released, Auburn put out a statement in May saying that it was giving indefinite suspensions to some players.
But that leaves a lot left of what’s unknown.
Auburn didn’t state how many players were being suspended, why they were being suspended or the identities of any of them.
Until Auburn actually took the field for fall camp, it was unclear whether Hunter would be out there. Head coach Hugh Freeze had been asked about Hunter throughout the summer and continually declined to comment, citing Auburn policies.
It’s not known either when, if ever, Hunter will be back at practice.
Losing Hunter would be a significant blow to Auburn’s offense. Hunter showed flashes during the 2022 season of being Auburn’s star running back of the future. This season, he was projected to take over the lead role in the backfield and see the most expanded playing time of his college career. All of that now might be in jeopardy.
So what happens if he can’t play?
At Thursday’s practice, Auburn mixed around projected starters throughout the depth chart. So the first offense on the field may not necessarily be the first team. That point aside, sophomore Damari Alston was the first running back on the field for Auburn. Then came junior Brian Battie, sophomore Sean Jackson and then true freshman Jeremiah Cobb.
“I loved our running back room in spring and I’m excited about adding Cobb and Battie,” Freeze said before the start of Auburn’s practice Thursday. “I think we have good players here. I think Damari has been one of the best leaders on our team this entire summer and spring.”
How that group will order themselves either behind Hunter or without him certainly remains to be seen, especially with this being the first chance to see Cobb on campus. From the sidelines, Cobb already looks the part of an SEC running back.
Battie has the most experience of anyone behind Hunter, and has already received an All-SEC First Team nod for his expected role as a kick returner. But that experience all comes from USF and not frequently against SEC defenses.
Alston had 14 carries last year as a freshman and Jackson had his best stats during his Auburn career game at the 2023 A-Day game where he had 77 yards on 13 carries.
In short, if Hunter isn’t there, Auburn’s running back room is full of wild cards. Cobb, a 4-star recruit from Montgomery Catholic, may have the most potential but is very unproven.
Without Hunter, Auburn could start the year with a committee of running backs and adjust if anyone emerges.
Until then, Hunter’s status will loom over Auburn’s football team. He’s a crucial piece to a team looking to rebound. Not being at Auburn’s first practice isn’t quite encouraging, but it also doesn’t rule out a return in the future.
Details on what is happening with Hunter behind the scenes may stay unknown.
And for now, it’s even unclear if Auburn coaches are preparing with or without Hunter in the long-term picture.