Auburn Football: Top 5 spring 2019 breakout candidates

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AUBURN, AL – NOVEMBER 3: Fans of the Auburn Tigers cheer for their team during their game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 3 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

Believe it or not, Auburn’s backfield is absolutely loaded heading into 2019. The Tigers are bringing back Kam Martin and JaTarvious Whitlow while redshirt freshman Harold Joiner joins the fold.

Joiner was one of the most sought-after backs in the 2018 class and he had just three carries in 2018 and he didn’t exceed the four games played so he was able to retain that redshirt. That’s great news for the Tigers because he has the look of a running back of the future for the program.

Martin will be a senior and he rushed for 458 yards and a touchdown last season — not exactly his ideal year — while Whitlow will be a sophomore after posting a team-high 787 yards and six scores while catching 15 passes for 173 yards and two more touchdowns.

You might be wondering how Joiner fits into this rotation, and it’s simple. He’s going to be switching in frequently like Whitlow, Martin and Shaun Shivers did last season.

The talented freshman will have an opportunity to earn himself anywhere from 70-100 carries, or so, depending on how well he performs this spring, leading into the season’s kickoff.

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