Auburn RB Damari Alston 'failed to meet the standards' of the program

Auburn running back Damari Alston has “failed to meet the standards” of the football program, head coach Hugh Freeze announced on Monday.

“We love him. We wish him the best,” Freeze said. “He won’t be playing here anymore.”

The senior tailback has appeared in four games — the maximum allowed under NCAA rules while maintaining a redshirt year.

He’s rushed for 128 yards on 32 carries and one touchdown during Auburn’s 3-3 start.

The former four-star recruit from Atlanta entered the season hoping to carve out a larger role alongside Jeremiah Cobb. With Auburn leaning more heavily on Cobb lately, Alston’s touches have been sporadic.

Alston, a team captain, has 16 total carries in three SEC games since missing the Ball State and South Alabama games. Cobb has 24 carries during the same time span, including 12 against Georgia to Alston’s seven.

In August, Alston was looking forward to splitting carries with Cobb.

“That’s a good thing, man. That’s a great thing. I want to play a long time. I don’t want to be two years and done, getting all the touches,” Cobb said.

“Whenever I get tired, I should look to the sidelines and be like, ‘Cobb, come in.’ Whenever he gets tired, he should look at me and be like, ‘DA, come in.’ It’s a blessing to have some guys just as talented as me to be backing me up.”

Freeze repeatedly praised Alston’s leadership and work ethic over the years. In July, Freeze said of Alston, “I do expect Damari to be really, really solid. He’s a great leader. He can do all those things.”