SPORTS

Cameron Artis-Payne believes he'll exceed expectations

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Former Auburn running back Cameron Artis-Payne hopes to surprise scouts at the NFL combine today.

INDIANAPOLIS – Time has had a way of working in Cameron Artis-Payne's favor.

After two years "on the couch" he ended up at a prep school, a year later he was at Allan Hancock (California) Community College, and two years later he was at Auburn.

After a year of sitting behind Tre Mason, Artis-Payne capitalized on his chance to be the bell cow for the Tigers this season, powering his way to 1,608 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Artis-Payne faces his greatest test of time yet today, as he and 33 other halfbacks will run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine NS attempt to separate themselves from a crowded crop of backs in this year's draft class.

"I don't really want to tell everybody what I'm shooting for," Artis-Payne said. "I think I'm going to do a lot better than most people think though, and that's the key thing this week. … Everybody got preconceived notions coming into this situation, and that's your job as a player, to break those preconceived notions down."

Artis-Payne believes the knock on him is "I'm slow," but hopes to alter opinions around the league and move up draft boards.

NFLDraftScout.com ranks Artis-Payne No. 13 among running backs, behind Miami's Duke Johnson, Alabama's T.J. Yeldon and Minnesota's David Cobb.

"I think you want to be part of a class like this," Cobb said. "There's so much great talent — seniors, juniors, everyone's coming out, and it's one of those things when you're in a group of guys and you see those big names you want to stick your chest out a little bit and you just want to compete. That's what I'm here to do."

With Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon expected to be drafted in the first two rounds, there is a re-emergence of the running back spot, which has been declining in value in recent years.

"You can't be one-dimensional," Yeldon said. "You need a running back to run the ball and get the running game going."

But any small issue can be costly in such a crowded group.

Artis-Payne was one of six running backs not to perform the bench press on Friday. A source with knowledge of the situation said it was due to a sprained AC joint he suffered during the season, was "nothing major" and Artis-Payne would bench at Auburn's upcoming Pro Day.

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said Artis-Payne goes down too easy to hits around his knees, which he can't possibly change before the draft.

"There's always going to be people picking apart your game," Artis-Payne said. "I feel like I can do everything pretty well. That's what I'm here to show, and we'll see what team wants that in their backfield."

All in time.