A gritty, open-field runner, Jarquez Hunter can break arm tackles and maintain his footing while gaining yards. He appears to relish making contact and averaged 4.08 yards per carry after it, both of which would help the New York Giants backfield.
Former three-star prospect from Philadelphia, Mississippi’s Neshoba Central High School, where in the 2021 cycle he was ranked 40th overall and 10th in his state.
Hunter became well-known on social media for wearing cowboy clothes and even deadlifting while wearing cowboy boots. During his final two seasons in college, he led the Auburn Tigers in running.
Hunter was named to the Second Team in 2023 and the First Team All-SEC in 2024. In 2021, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team as well.
His 278-yard rush against Kentucky (2024) with two touchdowns was the most rushing yards by an FBS player in 2024 and the fourth-best rushing performance in Auburn history.
Hunter’s career all-purpose yards of 4,453 place him sixth among Auburn’s playmakers. Hunter did go to the Reese’s Senior Bowl in 2025.
Advantages
A talented athlete with a striking physique
Excellent contact balance with a low, thick center of gravity
A physically strong runner with malicious purpose
Good and a fierce runner broke through the breach.
His mobility and ability to shift direction highlight his good one-cut ability.
effortlessly accelerates and has outstanding spatial awareness.
knows how to position his body to prevent clean hits.
Has more than forty rushes that were longer than ten yards.
possesses the speed necessary to hit home runs.
He can dodge potential tacklers in confined situations because to his quick decision-making and exceptional short-area speed.
Excellent general vision as a runner—knows when to cut, anticipates blocks, etc.
Outstanding in a phone booth; in 2024, he caused 58 missed tackles on 186 tries.
Throughout his career, he forced 164 failed tackles on 539 tries and doesn’t hesitate to drop his shoulder.
demonstrated exceptional play strength, maintaining leg movement during collision.
Someone who is difficult to get on the deck
competent out-of-backfield passer
has no qualms about acting as a barrier.
Jarquez Hunter is a physical and determined running back known for his ability to break tackles and stay upright while gaining yards. His running style is characterized by his resilience in the open field, often shedding arm tackles and continuing forward momentum. On average, he gained 4.08 yards per carry after contact, demonstrating his strength and willingness to engage in physical play. These attributes make him a strong candidate for the New York Giants’ backfield.
Hunter, a senior running back from Auburn University, stands at 5’10” and weighs 209 pounds. He was a three-star recruit from Neshoba Central High School in Philadelphia, Mississippi, ranked as the 10th-best player in his state and the 40th-best running back in the 2021 recruiting class.
Beyond his on-field performance, Hunter gained attention on social media for his distinctive Cowboy attire and unique training style, including deadlifting in cowboy boots. His impact at Auburn was significant, as he led the team in rushing during his final two seasons. His excellence was recognized with multiple accolades, including a First-Team All-SEC selection in 2024, a Second-Team All-SEC honor in 2023, and a place on the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2021.
One of Hunter’s standout performances came in 2024 against Kentucky, where he rushed for 278 yards and scored two touchdowns. This feat ranks as the fourth-best rushing game in Auburn’s history and was the highest single-game rushing total by an FBS player in 2024. His overall career at Auburn was equally impressive, as he amassed 4,453 all-purpose yards, ranking him sixth among Auburn players in that category. Additionally, he had the opportunity to showcase his skills at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Strengths
- Possesses a strong athletic build with a low center of gravity, allowing him to maintain balance through contact.
- Excels in physical, explosive running and embraces tough challenges on the field.
- Shows excellent burst when attacking gaps, making him a difficult runner to contain.
- Demonstrates exceptional agility and one-cut ability, enabling him to change direction quickly.
- Accelerates smoothly and has great awareness in tight spaces.
- Understands how to position his body to reduce the impact of defenders’ hits.
- Recorded over 40 runs of 10 yards or more, highlighting his ability to gain significant yardage.
- Has breakaway speed, making him a home-run threat in the open field.
- Makes quick, decisive choices and effectively evades defenders in confined areas.
- Displays strong vision as a ball carrier, effectively reading blocks and making well-timed cuts.
- Exceptional at making defenders miss in close quarters—forced 58 missed tackles on 186 attempts in 2024.
- Over his career, he forced 164 missed tackles on 539 carries, showcasing his elusiveness.
- Does not shy away from physicality and frequently lowers his shoulder to absorb contact.
- Exhibits outstanding play strength, continually driving his legs through defenders.
- A difficult player for defenses to bring down, requiring multiple defenders to halt his progress.
- Capable of contributing as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, adding versatility to his game.
- Willing to engage in blocking, showing no hesitation in taking on physical challenges.
Hunter’s skill set and production make him a compelling prospect for the next level. His combination of power, vision, and agility positions him as a potential asset for any NFL team, particularly one looking for a tough, dynamic runner who can contribute in multiple facets of the game.
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