On the Plains with Jeremiah Cobb: 'Easy to keep choosing here'

AUBURN, Ala. – The epitome of commitment, senior running back Jeremiah Cobb continues his college football career where it began. On the Plains. 

Through three head coaches in four seasons, Cobb’s loyalty to Auburn remains unwavering. 

“I always knew I wanted to play in the SEC,” Cobb said. “I always told myself I’m not going to leave anywhere I go. I’m going to work hard to achieve my dreams at the place I committed to. That’s how I went about it.”

Not that Cobb lacked opportunities had he been inclined to leave. When you rush for 969 yards and average 5.5 yards per carry as a junior in the SEC, destination options would have been practically endless. Jeremiah refused to shop around. 

“When you’re at a place like this, it makes it easy to keep choosing here,” Cobb said. 

At a program with a compelling claim to the title “RBU,” Cobb’s senior season holds the promise and possibility of joining Auburn’s esteemed list of thousand-yard rushers, a roster that includes Bo Jackson, Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown and Cobb’s teammate for two seasons, Jarquez Hunter. 

“I want to check that goal off,” Cobb said. “That would be awesome to be up there with Jarquez and be on that list. We’ve got a good group of running backs and I think it’s going to be really fun.”

While individual accolades are nice, Cobb’s primary focus is team centered. 

“I’ve been a part of a rough couple years and I came here to change that,” Cobb said. “To see that the Auburn family is still here rocking with all the players and everything about Auburn, it’s awesome to see that. I love to be a part of it.”

In three decades coaching college football, running backs coach Larry Porter has developed all-conference standouts and future NFL players.

“Cobb’s an experienced guy which is what you need because there’s no substitute for experience,” Porter said. “He brings some confidence that we enjoy, appreciate and need as coaches.”

Studying in Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business, Cobb balances the demands of SEC football with his rigorous academics. 

“That’s definitely been fun,” he said. “Those instructors are really helpful. They support you and it’s awesome to see.” 

When fans see No. 23 this season at Jordan-Hare Stadium, they might notice his increased size. 

“I’m 10 pounds heavier than last year,” says Cobb, who’s listed at 5-11, 205 pounds and weighed 208 during preseason camp. “I can definitely tell. Moving faster, stronger and absorbing more hits. The nutrition team did a great job of making sure it’s good weight. I’m excited about that.”

“He’s grown, he’s become more physical,” said head coach Alex Golesh, who challenged Cobb to bulk up to handle the rigors of nine SEC games. “I’ve told Jeremiah every day, ‘It’s good that you’re a speed back, I’m looking for a big back,’ and he starts foaming at the mouth. He’s grown tremendously.” 

Growing up in Montgomery, Cobb played baseball first. Once he put on football pads, there was no going back.

“This is awesome,” Cobb remembered saying to himself. “The hitting part of it, the aggressive part of it, I loved it. I started playing those two sports together, then it became just football after that.”

Cobb’s coaches quickly realized their team was better with the ball in Jeremiah’s hands.

“I was always a running back,” he said. “If I was at quarterback getting direct snaps running the ball, I was always at running back.”

At Montgomery Catholic, Cobb amassed 6,567 rushing yards and 75 touchdowns in 50 games over four seasons, including 2,016 yards as a senior, continuing a family tradition in the Capital City.

“Most of my family went there,” said Cobb, whose great-uncle Joe Fields once held the school’s rushing record and for whom the school named its student-athlete leadership award.

As the seasoned veteran at his position, Cobb embraces the responsibility that comes with leadership.

“Being a great teammate,” he said. “Somebody that everybody can lean on during hard times of the game. As a leader, I definitely talk more among my guys in the running back room. They make it easy for me.”

To the fans who have supported him throughout his four years at Auburn, Cobb offers gratitude. 

“Thank y’all,” he said. “I appreciate y’all and War Eagle!”

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