The Los Angeles Rams’ 2025 preseason opens Saturday at SoFi Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff is set for 7 P.M. ET. It’s the first look at a roster with new faces in key spots — and one rookie running back could be the early storyline.
Jarquez Hunter, the sixth-round pick out of Auburn, will get his first live NFL carries. Hunter’s profile fits the Rams’ push toward a more physical run game. Last year at Auburn, nearly half of his rushing yards came on breakaway runs of 15 or more yards. At 5-foot-10, 209 pounds, he runs low and has already impressed in padded practices.
Hunter Impressing in Rams Camp
Hunter’s name started popping up early in Week 2 of training camp. The team’s first padded session brought a run-heavy focus, with Sean McVay giving backs extended first-team work.
Hunter got reps with the starters and ran with authority.
“He’s heavy. He’s got a great body lean,” McVay said, per Wyatt Miller of TheRams.com. “Even though we’re not truly tackling, you can feel that he is heavy through the hole.” McVay also noted Hunter’s steady improvement and competitive demeanor.
The rookie’s physical style stood out in full-team periods, where he showed patience behind blocks and the ability to accelerate through contact. In a crowded backfield behind Kyren Williams and competing with Year 2 ball carrier Blake Corum, Hunter is earning looks that could translate into early-season snaps.
The focus on the run game isn’t accidental. McVay has leaned into upgrading interior toughness after the offense struggled in short-yardage and goal-line spots in 2024.
Hunter fits the mold the Rams want — compact, decisive, and willing to finish runs with force. While Williams remains the lead back, the Rams have been at their best when multiple backs contribute. Corum brings shiftiness and vision, while Hunter adds bruising, downhill work that could be valuable in red-zone situations.
Preseason Vs. Cowboys In Week 1
Saturday’s preseason opener offers Hunter a live stage against NFL defenders — the best measure yet of his camp progress. While preseason stat lines don’t tell the full story, coaches will watch for decisiveness, ball security, and whether Hunter’s camp burst holds up against live tackling.
For the Rams, it’s also about setting an early tone. A sharper run game in August can carry over into September. McVay has been vocal about starting faster this year, and establishing rhythm on the ground will help take pressure off Matthew Stafford when the regular season opens.
Hunter’s path to a roster spot looks solid, but a strong preseason could bump him from depth piece to weekly contributor. In a backfield still defining roles, every carry matters.
The Rams open their 2025 preseason against the Cowboys with questions to answer in the backfield — and Hunter has positioned himself to be part of the solution. His college tape promised burst and contact balance. His camp reps have shown the same.
If Hunter keeps running the way he has in practice, Saturday could be the first step toward carving out a meaningful role in McVay’s offense this fall.
