By Brenna Fowler
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. – C.J. Tolbert is living out his dream. The senior running back grew up an Auburn fan. Last November, he stood on the sideline and watched as the Tigers took down top rivals Georgia and Alabama in Jordan-Hare Stadium. This spring, he took full advantage of his opportunity, earning offensive MVP honors in the spring game with 137 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
What's that mean for this fall and his final season at Auburn?
"Expect more leadership," Tolbert said. "Expect more out of us in finishing and not letting our fans down. We let our fans down in the SEC Championship game, so expect a comeback."
Tolbert grew up in Dadeville, Alabama – 25 miles up the road from Auburn. As a senior in high school, he threw for 1,115 yards, rushed for 1,543 yards and scored 43 combined touchdowns on his way to becoming a Class 4A finalist for Alabama Mr. Football. But his next stop wasn't Auburn. It was in Arkansas at Harding University where he spent the next two years.
It wasn't until after his sophomore season in 2015 that Tolbert transferred to Auburn and walked on because not only was he a lifelong fan, but there was an immediate family feeling that he felt when he was around the coaches and the players.
"I went to a Christian school in Arkansas," Tolbert said. "It was family-oriented and Christian-based, and we had worship and devotions together with the coaches. When I came here, I didn't realize it was going to be much the same way. It feels really good to be here and have the coaches invite you over to their house or everyone get together for dinner."
Those same teammates at Auburn have become his lifelong friends, and they are always together even when they're not on the practice field. Every Wednesday night, he and his friends on the team can be found bowling, where Tolbert says he always rolls the best score.
That support goes beyond his teammates and coaches, too. He's quickly become a part of the Auburn Family, and the support from the fans is what fuels the Tigers every season.
"When I think about the Auburn Family – the past two years, we've lost some big games but you never see the fans turn on you," Tolbert said. "They're always there, and it's one big family. Our fans are the best in the country. I just love them. You can't find better fans than the Auburn Family."
What's next for Tolbert after football? The senior plans to graduate in May 2019 with a degree in exercise science. From there, it's on to Orlando where he hopes to find a job in his field – anything from a personal trainer to a football coach.
Regardless of what occupation he chooses, his time at Auburn – both as a student and as an athlete – has fully prepared him to enter the real world.
"[Auburn] has prepared me to be an adult and be more responsible because of playing football," Tolbert said. "You don't have someone telling you where to be at what time. When Coach [Malzahn] tells you he needs something, you have to be there on time."
His advice to the incoming freshman? Don't take anything for granted.
"I know it's hard to balance it all sometimes, but go to every mentor, tutor and class," Tolbert said. "Make the most of it. The resources given for student-athletes are for their benefit."
And don't forget to say "War Eagle" along the way because for Tolbert, "War Eagle" means family, and he understands that now as part of the Auburn Family.
"You know how people in Hawaii say Aloha and it means hello, good-bye and a lot of different stuff depending on how you interpret the situation. That's what I think about War Eagle," Tolbert said. "It means a lot of things and everything. That's what War Eagle and Auburn mean to me – everything."
Brenna Fowler is a student assistant in Auburn athletics communications