Doug Pederson: Jaguars' Rookie Tank Bigsby 'Is a Sponge'

The Jaguars' third-round rookie got some high praise from head coach Doug Pederson.

Tank Bigsby hasn't stopped impressing the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Whether during the offseason program, in the classroom or in the early weeks of training camp, this year's No. 88 overall pick has left an impression on the Jaguars' staff seemingly since he stepped into the facility. And it could result in a key role in the offense sooner than later.

"Outside of the size, speed, athleticism, and all that this kid is a sponge. He’s really a smart, young running back. He understands defense," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said on Saturday. 

The Jaguars are fresh off a year where former first-round pick Travis Etienne rushed for over 1,000 yards and was one of the NFL's most explosive backs, but an element of their running game was still missing in 2022. The hope now is that the bruising Bigsby can help alleviate that. 

"One of the things that’s been really impressive, too, is taking the coaching. Whether it be from Bernie [Parmalee] or myself or even Phil Rauscher, being able to take that and apply it to what he’s doing and he’s just improving every day," Pederson said. 

"It’s a really good, competitive room is what I’m excited about. There’s some really good talent in that room. He’s shown us some really good things with the competition, where he’s at, TJ [Travis Etienne] has done a nice job as well."

A four-star recruit who was the No. 4 running back in the 2020 recruiting class behind just Bijan Robinson, Zach Evans and Demarckus Bowman, Bigsby was named the SEC Freshman of the year in 2020 after he appeared in 10 games and carried the ball 138 times for 834 yards and five touchdowns, averaging six yards per carry.

Bigsby started 13 games in 2021, averaging 4.9 yards per carry on 223 carries, recording 1,099 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with 21 catches for 184 yards.

Bigsby returned as a starter in 2022, starting 11 games and leading Auburn in rushing with 970 yards, 5.4 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns.

So far, Bigsby has done enough in camp to warrant touches behind Etienne in some capacity. It is hard to determine exactly what the split should be considering Etienne's success a year ago and the talent in the Jaguars' passing game -- a passing game that Bigsby has made his own impression on.

"I would even say he’s a better pass catcher. Of course, in college, they didn’t throw it to him a bunch, but he’s a really good pass catcher in the backfield," Pederson said.