What does it take to be an Auburn running back? Learning to chase and catch squirrels with your bare hands is a start.

Squirrel chasing, catching and hopefully, releasing is becoming a rite of passage for Auburn running backs trying to prove their speed and immune system while tracking a possible rabies-stricken squirrel through the woods of Alabama.

Tre Mason posted a picture on Instagram and Twitter late Monday evening of himself holding a squirrel with the caption: "Catch squirrels to test your speed!"

Mason has been chasing squirrels to test his speed since September when he tweeted: "Just caught my first squirrel. Did it on the 2nd try!