There’s a certain edge to Jarquez Hunter that’s impossible to ignore. On a Los Angeles Rams roster packed with rising talent, the rookie running back from Auburn is making waves not just with his play, but with how he plays. Violent, relentless, and flat-out fearless, Hunter has quickly earned the attention — and respect — of the Rams coaching staff.
“I don’t know if he’s mad at me or if he just likes football and wants the ball in his hands,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said with a smile. “He’s got a great body lean to him. He’s got a great demeanor back there… You just can’t wait to see when the bullets are live come August.”
A Different Kind of Rookie: He Can Stare A Hole Through You
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Hunter may be new to the NFL, but he runs like he’s got something to prove — every rep, every drill. During padded team work, he forced defenders into full-contact situations even in non-live periods, delivering hits as much as he absorbed them. His running style left LaFleur almost jokingly hesitant: “Do you want to tackle him, Gary? I sure won’t.”
The Gary in question was Gary Klein of the LA Times.
That intensity is something Sean McVay also keyed in on, praising Hunter for his physicality and presence.
“He’s heavy through the hole,” McVay said. “Even though we’re not truly tackling, you can feel that. He’s got a really good demeanor. He can stare a hole through you. He’s continuing to show improvement.”
Hunter’s not just trying to make the team — he’s trying to leave a mark on it.
Building a Monster in the Backfield
The Rams haven’t had a truly punishing backfield since Todd Gurley’s All-Pro days. In 2025, that might be changing. Kyren Williams remains the established lead, coming off back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons, but behind him, the competition is fierce. Blake Corum, a second-round pick out of Michigan, is showing promise as a receiving threat. And then there’s Hunter — the one who brings the pain.
Whether or not Williams gets a contract extension (talks are ongoing), Hunter is proving he belongs in the conversation now. He’s forcing the Rams’ hand with a tone-setting presence every time he takes a handoff.
“Hunter brings something different,” McVay said. “He’s not just effort — it’s edge, it’s intent, it’s power.”
The Battering Ram: “I Want You to Quit”
Hunter himself summed up his running style with a simple, devastating mindset:
“I want them [defenders] to say, ‘Dang, this boy, he hard to tackle, he don’t want to go down.’ It’s just a mentality. I want you to quit by the fourth quarter.”
It’s not just talk — Hunter’s tape shows it. At Auburn, he made a living running through contact. Now with the Rams, he’s doing the same, earning reps and rattling pads during practices that aren’t supposed to be full contact.
“I feel I’m bringing the energy, heart, and just grit of loving the game of football,” Hunter said. “I want to be on the field to help the team win.”
A Role That Could Grow Quickly
In a loaded backfield, Hunter’s exact role may not be clear yet — but it’s coming into focus. Williams is the steady hand, Corum the flexible weapon, but Hunter? He’s the hammer.
If the Rams need someone to finish off games, grind out tough yards, or change the tone of a drive, Hunter might be the one they call.
Because as LaFleur put it best, “That’s not always a fun place unless you like that life. He likes that life.”
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