RB1: Jeremiah Cobb's commitment pays dividends

AUBURN, Ala. – If you’re looking for Jeremiah Cobb the day after a game, chances are you’ll find him in the training room, maybe in the cold tub. 

“Physically, I feel fine. I’m sore like always after every game,” said Cobb, whose 117 carries are the fourth most in the SEC this season and nearly double the combined total of his freshman (33) and sophomore seasons (29). “Just have to go to treatment.”

The 5-11, 200-pound junior from Montgomery thrives on the expanded workload, eclipsing the 100-yard mark in four of Auburn’s eight games.

“It’s definitely been rewarding and very exciting,” Cobb said. “More confidence comes with every run. Feeling the defense you’re going against, it gets easier and easier. Knowing what they’re going to do on each play makes it really easy.”

Cobb certainly makes it look easy.

In last week’s win at Arkansas, he set career highs with 28 carries and 153 yards, the most rushing yards by an SEC player in a conference game this season and Cobb’s second straight 100-yard game.

If Cobb can hit the century mark Saturday night against Kentucky at Jordan-Hare Stadium, he would be the first Auburn player to have five 100-yard games in a season since Tank Bigsby in 2021 and the first to have three in a row since Jarquez Hunter in 2023.

An explosive play producer, Cobb has four carries of at least 40 yards this season.  

“I can’t thank the wide receivers enough,” he said. “Rushing down there and getting blocks, it’s awesome to make that happen so I’m proud of them.”

Through eight games, Cobb ranks second in the SEC in rushing yards with 717 and per-game average, 89.6. Cobb’s per-carry average of 6.13 ranks fourth in the league.

“Always had the dream to do this,” he said. “It was crazy how it actually happened. Once I got out here freshman year and started doing it, it was easy.”

Like all elite running backs, Cobb knows his success would not be possible without Auburn’s offensive line. 

“They do a great job,” said Cobb, whose 28 carries against Arkansas are the most by an Auburn running back in a non-overtime game since Kerryon Johnson carried 30 times in the 2017 Iron Bowl. “I’ve had faith in every single one of them. They worked their tails off all summer, so I feel very confident.”

To lessen Cobb’s wear and tear, Auburn has reduced his practice reps, trying to keep Jeremiah fresh for the season’s stretch run. Durell Robinson’s return from injury, and the continued development of true freshman Omar Mabson II, should also provide depth behind Cobb. 

“He’s handled it well to this point,” said Hugh Freeze, who correctly predicted a breakout year ahead for No. 23 during preseason camp. “There’s no question he’s got to get his touches.”

Cobb endeared himself to Auburn fans before the season when reporters asked why he remained on the Plains after two seasons as a backup, when the transfer portal could have provided an easy exit to potentially more playing time.

“I meant that commitment,” Cobb said in August, looking back to his 2022 verbal pledge to Auburn. “I’m going to stay here, keep working. Put my head down and keep working, God’s going to bless me.” 

A marketing student in Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business, Cobb connects with his fellow students and professors.

“It’s been really fun to learn,” he said. “Group projects, online assignments, Excel sheets. I put my time into it because I know what I truly love is football so you’ve got to do it so I can play.”

Competing and studying 50 miles from his hometown allows Cobb to stay close to his family while giving him an appreciation for being the latest in a long line of standout Auburn running backs.

“It’s awesome being from Alabama and knowing the running backs who came before me and played here,” he said. 

After helping Auburn earn its first SEC victory on the road, Cobb hopes to deliver a repeat performance Saturday night on Pat Dye Field. 

“The whole team and coaches deserve it,” he said. “We just need to keep our head down and keep working. All of the support, even when things were going sideways, it’s amazing. It gives us more faith.

“When you walk into that stadium, it’s just different. It’s awesome to see that every time you walk in there.”

To get the result Auburn wants, Cobb focuses on the process.

“Making sure I do what I need to do for the coaches and for this team,” he saId. “All of those players deserve a little bit of success so if I do my part, I can help them in that way, so I set my mind on that so that every play I do that.”

Out of loyalty to Auburn, Jeremiah Cobb persevered. Now, he’s prevailing. The Tigers’ next great running back displays an attitude that Auburn fans admire.  

“I keep it very simple,” he said. “I love people, I love being kind to people.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer