Recruiting deficiencies impacting running game

AUBURN | There are several factors negatively impacting Auburn’s running game this season including some key recruiting misses over the past several years.

The Tigers current starting offensive line includes one graduate transfer and one former defensive lineman. Last year’s starting line included two transfers and one graduate transfer.

Over the last four years, Auburn has signed just 12 offensive linemen, which includes zero 5-stars and nine 4-stars. AU has signed just two Rivals100 offensive linemen over that period in Calvin Ashley, who’s currently the backup right tackle, and Tyler Carr, who left the program before the start of this season.

How do those numbers stack up against Auburn’s two biggest rivals?

Alabama has signed 16 offensive linemen over the same period including five 5-stars, seven 4-stars and seven Rivals100 players. Georgia has signed 18 offensive linemen including three 5-stars, seven 4-stars and five Rivals100 players.

It’s a similar situation at running back. Auburn’s top running back this season is former 2-star JaTarvious Whitlow, who was a late addition as an offensive athlete. The Tigers have signed six running backs over the past three seasons, which includes five 4-stars but only two Rivals100 players in Asa Martin, a true freshman, and Devan Barrett, who moved to cornerback this fall.

For comparison, Alabama has signed five running backs over the past three years, which includes one 5-star, two 4-stars and three Rivals100 players. Georgia has also signed five running backs including two 5-stars, two 4-stars and three Rivals100 players.

Auburn’s starting offensive line against Southern Miss included 4-star defensive lineman Prince Tega Wanogho at left tackle, 4-star Marquel Harrell at left guard, 4-star Nick Brahms at center, 3-star Mike Horton at right guard and UMass graduate transfer Jack Driscoll at right tackle.

The Tigers are ninth in the SEC averaging 178.6 rushing yards per game with Whitlow and 4-star Kam Martin combining for the majority of the carries. AU has allowed 10 sacks, which ranks 10th in the SEC.

Alabama’s starting offensive line against Louisiana-Lafayette last Saturday included 5-star left tackle Jonah Williams, Rivals100 left guard Lester Cotton, 4-star center Ross Pierschbacher, 5-star right guard Alex Leatherwood and 5-star right tackle Jedrick Wills.

The combination of 5-star running backs Najee Harris and Damien Harris have helped the Tide to fifth in the SEC averaging 217.4 rushing yards per game, but first in total offense averaging 553.2 yards per game. Alabama has allowed just four sacks, which is second-best in the SEC.

Georgia’s starting offensive line against Tennessee last Saturday included Rivals100 left tackle Andrew Thomas, 3-star left guard Solomon Kindley, 3-star center Lamont Gaillard, a former defensive lineman, 5-star right guard Cade Mays and 5-star right tackle Isaiah Wilson.

Georgia is second in the SEC averaging 250.4 rushing yards per game on the strength of 4-star running back Elijah Holyfield and Rivals100 running back D’Andre Swift. The Bulldogs have allowed seven sacks, which is fifth in the conference.