Auburn Tigers Running Back Damari Alston Anticipates Major Breakout and Teamwide Success in 2025 Season.

When Damari Alston looks ahead to the 2025 college football season, he doesn’t see uncertainty. He doesn’t dwell on what went wrong in the past or allow outside noise to shape the expectations he carries. Instead, the Auburn Tigers running back speaks with quiet confidence and an inner fire that reflects the culture being built under Hugh Freeze’s leadership on The Plains. Alston, entering another year with increasing responsibility in Auburn’s offense, made it clear: he expects greatness—not just from himself, but from the entire program.

Alston’s optimism isn’t blind faith. It’s rooted in the work he’s seen throughout the offseason, the development of the roster, and the collective mindset that has started to take root in the locker room. It’s not just about wanting to win games. It’s about believing Auburn is finally ready to reassert itself as a force in the SEC, and as a team that can compete on the national stage.

“A lot of greatness is coming,” Alston said in a recent media session, and that message resonates more than ever after what Auburn endured over the past few seasons. The Tigers haven’t exactly been absent from the national conversation, but the program has lacked the consistency and firepower it once had. Alston believes 2025 is the year that changes—and he wants to be at the center of it.

Alston’s progression as a player is one of the more underrated stories in the SEC. While Auburn’s quarterback competition and recruiting headlines often take the spotlight, Alston has steadily carved out a role for himself, showcasing toughness, vision, and leadership every time he touches the ball. His growth has mirrored the evolution of the team itself—a steady rise fueled by hard work, adversity, and a shared commitment to excellence.

One reason for Alston’s confidence stems from what he’s seeing on the practice field. According to Alston, there’s a different energy surrounding this Auburn team, something that wasn’t always present in previous years. That starts with accountability. Players are holding each other to higher standards. There’s a visible hunger, and the weight room sessions, film studies, and position drills have all taken on greater meaning.

“We’re not here to be average,” Alston said. “We’re here to be great. We’re not cutting corners. Everybody’s pushing each other. You can feel it—it’s different.”

Under Hugh Freeze, Auburn has made a clear shift in both strategy and mentality. The coaching staff has emphasized discipline, player development, and offensive creativity. Alston has thrived in that environment. His ability to find running lanes, break tackles, and contribute in the passing game gives the Tigers an added dimension in the backfield, especially with so many new faces and returning contributors vying for touches.

But Alston’s leadership extends beyond the stat sheet. Teammates and coaches alike have pointed to his voice in the locker room and his willingness to lead by example. Whether it’s staying late after practice, mentoring younger players, or taking mental reps during walkthroughs, Alston embodies the standard the coaching staff wants everyone to follow.

That’s especially important in a year where Auburn has something to prove. The 2024 season was full of missed opportunities, heartbreaking losses, and flashes of potential that never quite materialized into consistent success. Now, with another offseason under Freeze’s system, Alston believes the Tigers have matured. The mistakes of last year have turned into lessons. The hunger to redeem those moments is fueling everything they do.

“We remember how it felt,” Alston said. “Those games where we were close, those chances we let slip—we don’t want to feel that again.”

The SEC is as unforgiving as ever, with Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and now even Texas and Oklahoma looming large in the path of any team with championship aspirations. But that’s not something Alston fears. If anything, it motivates him more. He’s quick to point out that the competition brings out the best in players, and he’s eager to showcase just how far Auburn has come.

“You don’t play in this conference unless you want to be great,” Alston noted. “There are no easy games. But we’re built for this. We’re working like we belong with the best because we do.”

Alston’s breakout potential is already drawing attention. Coaches are expecting a heavier workload for him this year, especially as the Tigers refine their offense around a more experienced offensive line and a quarterback room that continues to battle for consistency. Whether it’s ground-and-pound between the tackles, catching passes out of the backfield, or protecting the quarterback on blitz pickups, Alston has earned trust in all phases.

What makes Alston’s story even more compelling is his perspective. Despite the individual goals he may have, his focus always comes back to the team. His words are less about personal accolades and more about winning games, uplifting teammates, and restoring pride in Auburn football.

“There’s no limit to what we can do when we’re locked in together,” Alston said. “I want to be part of a team that makes people proud to wear that Auburn jersey again.”

The Tigers’ schedule offers no shortage of challenges, but Alston views those games as opportunities. Marquee matchups against rivals, road trips to hostile environments, and conference showdowns will test Auburn’s growth, but they could also serve as defining moments in a comeback story that fans are desperate to see.

Off the field, Alston has also emerged as a presence in the Auburn community. His engagement with fans, his willingness to connect with younger athletes, and his genuine passion for representing the university have made him a fan favorite. That authenticity—combined with his grit on the field—makes him one of the most respected voices in the locker room.

As fall camp heats up and the countdown to kickoff begins, Alston isn’t making any bold predictions about specific wins or rankings. Instead, he returns to that single phrase: a lot of greatness. It’s a mindset more than a destination. It’s a reflection of the hours spent grinding in silence, the trust being built between players and coaches, and the belief that Auburn’s story is far from over.

“This is just the beginning,” Alston said. “People are going to see a different Auburn this year. Not just because of what we do on Saturdays, but because of who we are every day.”

That confidence isn’t cockiness. It’s conviction. Alston has seen the lowest points and the hard conversations. He’s been part of the rebuilding effort that isn’t always glamorous but is necessary. And now, with experience under his belt and a team around him that shares the same belief, he’s ready to turn that preparation into results.

It won’t be easy. The Tigers know that. But they’re not looking for easy. They’re looking for respect, redemption, and a return to relevance.

And if Damari Alston has his way, 2025 will be the year Auburn takes that step. He’s ready to run through defenders, lift up teammates, and carry a legacy forward—not just as a player, but as a symbol of what’s possible when a team commits to something bigger than itself.

“A lot of greatness is coming,” he said again, a slight smile forming as if he already knows something the rest of the country will soon find out. For Auburn fans, those words offer more than hope—they carry the promise of a new chapter. One that’s been a long time coming.