Malzahn: In 'perfect world' two of three freshmen running backs play

AUBURN -- While Auburn's two senior running backs have set themselves apart from their freshmen counterparts, the young trio will get more time to fight out a pecking order.

"All three young guys are going to have a chance to help us," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "We know what we have with our two older guys, and we feel really good about that. In a perfect world, two of those three will be in the mix."

Peyton Barber, Roc Thomas and Kamryn Pettway have split reps over the first week of preseason camp. Barring injury, either Thomas, who has been working on kickoff returns, or Pettway, will "obviously" redshirt, according to running backs coach Tim Horton.

Though Horton said it's "too early" to decide on redshirts, all indications are Pettway will be the one to sit out this season.

"I don't think there's any question that all three of those freshmen could contribute," Horton said. "I'd be surprised if all three did just because of the numbers standpoint."

Neither Prattville native Pettway nor Thomas, last year's Mr. Football, have been available for interviews.

It's not a question of talent to Horton, who has had success with true freshmen running backs in the past.

"It's probably not one of the more complicated positions to play compared to a quarterback or something like that," he said. "It's our job as coaches to get them ready whether they're freshmen or seniors. I think the thing that determines whether a kid plays a lot is the depth chart.

Before Malzahn plays any of the freshmen in the backfield he wants to be certain they're not only talented enough, but that they can protect the ball and be capable in pass protection if they're on the field in a critical third down scenario.

"If they are talented enough to play, then all the little things – who's coachable, who's going to protect the football. That's what's on my mind," Malzahn said. "Hopefully, we'll give them enough chances during fall camp to show who can do that and who can execute our offense and who we can count on, that's the bottom line."