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Auburn Football: 5 biggest questions facing the Tigers in spring 2018

By Connor Muldowney

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Gus Malzahn of the Auburn Tigers on the field prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Gus Malzahn of the Auburn Tigers on the field prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

2. Is Kam Martin ready to be the feature back?

The Tigers had an embarrassment of riches in the backfield to start the 2017 season with Kamryn Pettway leading the way before he was replaced by Kerryon Johnson following an injury. The former missed the entire second half of the season and Johnson was able to excel, rushing for 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns on 4.9 per touch.

Pettway was expected to be an All-SEC caliber back, but with a shortened season, he finished with just 305 yards and six touchdowns.

Both backs were juniors, but both decided to forgo their senior seasons and head to the NFL. That leaves a relatively open backfield with Kam Martin, a junior, the presumed backup. He finished the 2017 season with 453 yards and two touchdowns, averaging the most yards per carry of any back on the team with more than 75 carries.

Is he ready to be the full-time rusher, though?

Martin will have to compete with Devan Barrett and incoming freshman Asa Martin. The backfield will be something to watch this spring.

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