Auburn's only returning offensive starter has survived three coaching staffs and never entered the portal. Now the entire offense runs through him.
The number
1 — The number of returning offensive starters on Auburn's 2026 roster. Jeremiah Cobb is the only one.
The vitals
Height/Weight: 5-11, 200
Class: Senior
Hometown: Montgomery, Ala. (Montgomery Catholic Prep)
Jersey: No. 23
Recruiting class: 2023 — 4-star, No. 165 nationally, No. 9 RB (247Sports Composite)
The resume
2023 (Fr.) — Auburn: 33 rush att, 172 yds, 5.2 YPC, 2 TD, 7 rec, 47 rec yds, 2 rec TD
2024 (So.) — Auburn: 29 rush att, 142 yds, 4.9 YPC, 0 TD, 6 rec, 45 rec yds, 0 rec TD
2025 (Jr.) — Auburn: 175 rush att, 969 yds, 5.5 YPC, 5 TD, 11 rec, 83 rec yds, 0 rec TD
Career: 237 rush att, 1,283 yds, 5.4 YPC, 7 TD, 24 rec, 175 rec yds, 2 rec TD
100-yard games in 2025 (5): Ball State (121), South Alabama (119), Missouri (111), at Arkansas (153), at Vanderbilt (115)
The tape
What he does well:
- Explosive first-step acceleration — hits top speed before defenders can close angles
- Decisive one-cut runner with natural patience behind the line
- Strong ball security (80.2 PFF fumble grade in 2024)
- Capable receiver out of the backfield (24 career catches, 7.3 yards per reception)
Where he's limited:
- Listed at 200 pounds — light for SEC pass protection duties
- Not a power runner between the tackles; better on the perimeter
- Pass blocking remains a developmental area
PFF grade (2024): 73.3 overall on 82 snaps. Full 2025 grade not publicly available.
In his own words
On staying at Auburn through three coaching staffs:
"Since high school I was like: Anywhere I go it doesn't matter, I know I'm going to stay there, work my tail off and make sure that I'm the guy that they recruited and wanted there."
— 247Sports, January 2026
On his mother as motivation:
"She was on my mind when I went out and worked. I really just wanted to be able to help her and I thought football was the way. So I went out and worked hard to help her."
— Yahoo Sports
What the coaches said
Alex Golesh, Auburn head coach:
"Really, everything right about college football is Jeremiah Cobb, and he's been exciting to be around."
"I go way back with him. He told me no four years ago. I remind him of that semi-regularly, but I'm glad he's here."
— EssentiallySports
Joel Gordon, Auburn offensive coordinator:
"It all starts with Jeremiah Cobb. He was here. He's played here, and he was really productive a year ago. Behind him there's not a ton of experience and proven production ... That's where our offense starts by running the rock and being physical."
— FlyWarEagle
Hugh Freeze, former Auburn head coach:
"I said several times this summer that I really thought he would be one that had a breakout year, and I still believe that. I think he's a very talented back."
— FlyWarEagle, September 2025
The story
Jeremiah Cobb has survived every version of Auburn football since he arrived in 2023.
He was recruited by Bryan Harsin and Cadillac Williams. He played his first two seasons under Hugh Freeze. He will play his senior year under Alex Golesh — a coach who recruited him out of Montgomery Catholic four years ago at Tennessee and was told no.
"I remind him of that semi-regularly," Golesh said. "But I'm glad he's here."
When Freeze was fired midseason in 2025 with the Tigers at 4-5, Auburn's roster scattered. Quarterback Jackson Arnold left. The entire receiving corps — Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton Jr., Perry Thompson — transferred out. The offensive line gutted itself through the portal. Auburn returned the fewest starters of any team in the SEC.
Cobb stayed.
He entered 2025 as a backup behind Damari Alston with 314 career rushing yards across two seasons. When Alston suffered a shoulder injury in the Baylor opener, Cobb moved into the starting role the following week and never gave it back. He finished with 969 yards and five touchdowns — including five 100-yard games — and became the only source of offensive production on a team that desperately needed one.
Now he is the foundation of a complete rebuild. Golesh has been explicit about what the offense will look like: "We're gonna run the heck out of the ball." Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon echoed it: "Our identity is going to be to line up and be able to run the football. That's where everything starts."
The supporting cast around him has changed entirely. Baylor transfer Bryson Washington and USF transfer Nykahi Davenport join the backfield. USF quarterback Byrum Brown followed Golesh to Auburn and will start under center.
But everything still runs through Cobb. Third coaching staff. Zero transfer portal entries. The only offensive starter who came back.
The verdict
Jeremiah Cobb is the most important player on Auburn's 2026 roster by a wide margin. In an era where the portal has made loyalty optional, he chose to stay — three times — and earned the right to be the foundation of whatever Auburn builds next. If the Tigers are competitive this fall, it starts with No. 23.
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