There’s no mistaking Jarquez Hunter on the practice field. The rookie running back from Auburn isn’t just another fresh face in camp — he’s a force, a tone-setter, and, in the words of Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, a young player who’s already earning respect with every rep.
“I thought you saw Jarquez do an excellent job,” McVay said this week. “He’s heavy. He’s got a great body lean. Even though we’re not truly tackling, you can feel that he is heavy through the hole. He has a really good demeanor. He can stare a hole through you. He’s continuing to show improvement.”
That wasn’t lip service. McVay made a point to single Hunter out following a run-heavy practice session, calling attention to the rookie’s physicality, intensity, and demeanor — all trademarks of a back looking to make noise early in his NFL career.
Building a Contender’s Backfield
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It’s been a few seasons since the Rams had a backfield that truly felt formidable — not since Todd Gurley’s heyday or the brief flashes from Sony Michel and Cam Akers. But in 2025, that might be changing.
Kyren Williams remains the headliner. He’s coming off back-to-back 1,100-yard campaigns, and the Rams are working toward a contract extension with agent Drew Rosenhaus. But behind him, two hungry, high-upside runners are pushing for touches: rookie Blake Corum, and the explosive, violent runner that is Jarquez Hunter.
McVay knows this situation requires delicate management. Williams is a proven weapon, but Corum and Hunter need real-time reps — both to keep Williams fresh and to prepare for a possible post-Williams future.
“It was good. It was positive,” McVay said of the recent contract talks. “No news to report, but… there’s a lot of good intentions on trying to be able to get that done.”
Regardless of how those talks shake out, McVay appears open to a committee-style approach. Williams brings balance. Corum has flashed as a pass-catching threat. Hunter? He brings the pain.
The Battering Ram
Spend five minutes watching Jarquez Hunter at camp and one thing is clear: this isn’t just a rookie learning the ropes — this is a player hunting contact, daring defenders to stop him. During team drills, Hunter repeatedly churned through would-be tacklers, forcing safety Quentin Lake to wrestle him down by the neck just to end the play.
Every run is a statement. Pads or not, Hunter finishes through the whistle. And when asked what fuels that mindset, Hunter gave the kind of answer that makes old-school football guys grin:
“I want them (defenses) 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.”
Hunter doesn’t just bring effort — he brings edge. He brings something intangible yet instantly recognizable: that refusal to be denied, the kind of internal wiring that separates backup-caliber players from tone-setting starters.
“I feel I’m bringing the energy, heart, and just grit of loving the game of football,” Hunter added. “I want to be on the field to help the team win.”
Looking Ahead
The Rams’ 2025 backfield is shaping up to be one of the NFL’s most diverse and dangerous. Whether or not Williams signs long-term, McVay and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur have a rare luxury: three distinct skill sets at their disposal, capable of shifting game flow and tempo depending on situation.
If Williams remains the all-purpose leader, Corum the versatile third-down weapon, and Hunter the closer — the punisher — this backfield could become a cornerstone of a Rams team with championship aspirations.
No, there may never be another Todd Gurley. But if you’re looking for the next player who sets the tone and finishes games with four-yard runs that feel like body blows? Jarquez Hunter just might be that guy.
Because when the Rams need four yards to win, Hunter’s the one willing to drag the entire defense on his back — just to prove he can.
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