Auburn · SECOmar Mabson’s Pass Protection Could Decide Auburn’s No. 2 Running Back Job
Mabson had a small role as a freshman, but Auburn coach Alex Golesh says the sophomore is pushing Baylor transfer Bryson Washington and improving in the part of the position that determines whether a back can stay on the field.
AUG 26, 2026
Carries Mabson had during his freshman season.
Rushing yards Mabson recorded on those carries.
Passes Mabson caught on five targets in 2025.
01 · The NewsThe Running Back Battle
Auburn sophomore Omar Mabson is competing with Baylor transfer Bryson Washington for the No. 2 running back job. Head coach Alex Golesh said Mabson has been pushing for the position throughout the spring and summer, with pass protection standing out in the evaluation. Golesh described Mabson as quiet but determined to win a job, adding that the running back has pushed others in the room to match his standard. Mabson played in 10 games as a freshman without a start. He finished with 16 carries for 71 yards and one touchdown. Auburn has not announced a winner in the competition.
02 · The StakesWhy the Protection Matters
Mabson’s 2025 role was limited, but his receiving work gives Auburn another piece to consider. He caught four of five targeted passes, recorded 54 yards after contact and finished with a 62.4 PFF grade. Golesh has said Auburn wants to use the running back room extensively, so the No. 2 back may receive more than occasional carries. A back who can protect the quarterback can remain on the field for passing downs instead of giving the defense an easy personnel clue. Washington brings experience from Baylor. Mabson brings a year in Auburn’s system and strong recent feedback from Golesh.
03 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineThe Detail Beneath the Headline
Mabson is not trying to win this job with rushing numbers alone. His limited freshman workload leaves Auburn with little game evidence, which makes the improvement Golesh described more important than a box score from last season. Pass protection gives Mabson a way to earn trust before he becomes a larger part of the run game. That also separates this competition from a simple count of carries. Auburn is deciding which back can handle the less visible work well enough to stay involved when the offense needs to throw.
“Mabson’s path to the No. 2 job is easier to see than his final role.”
The Wire Desk04 · The PersonnelWhere the Snaps Go
Mabson and Washington are the only candidates named in the competition. Mabson is a 5-foot-9, 215-pound sophomore from Auburn High, where he was the Opelika-Auburn News Offensive Player of the Year as a junior. He was a three-star member of Auburn’s 2025 recruiting class, ranked No. 55 nationally at running back and No. 27 in Alabama by 247Sports. Washington arrived from Baylor with college experience, while Mabson has spent his first season in the Auburn program learning the position and building a case for more work. Golesh’s stated desire to use the room heavily could leave space for both players, but the No. 2 role still needs a clear choice. Mabson’s pass protection has put that skill near the center of the decision.
05 · Honest ScaleWhat Happens Next
Mabson’s path to the No. 2 job is easier to see than his final role. Auburn has a young back with only a small amount of college rushing experience, a Baylor transfer competing for the same spot and a coach who wants more from the room. Washington may have the stronger résumé for the moment. Mabson has given Golesh a specific reason to keep watching him. Protection can earn a back snaps before the rushing production catches up. That matters for a player who has spent much of his Auburn career waiting behind more established options. The job will likely go to the back Auburn trusts across the most duties, not merely the one who looks best carrying the ball. Mabson has made that decision harder for the staff.
06 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Who wins the No. 2 job?
Auburn has not named the winner between Mabson and Washington. The next depth-chart update or coach comment should show whether one back has separated.
Does Auburn use both backs?
Golesh has said he wants to use the running back room extensively. A shared role would suggest the staff sees distinct value in both players rather than a clean one-back decision.
Does Mabson stay involved on passing downs?
His protection work has drawn the coach’s praise. His presence when Auburn needs a back who can protect and still threaten as a receiver will show how much that improvement matters.