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AUBURN AUTHORITY

Running back battle still a dead heat

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Cameron Artis-Payne is facing stiff competition from Corey Grant for the starting running back job.

ROME, Ga. The running back competition on the Plains remains a dead heat between seniors Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant.

As expected, spring practice did not do much to decide one of the most competitive position battles Auburn has this offseason as the Tigers fill the void left by the early departure of Heisman Trophy finalist Tre Mason to the NFL draft.

"It would probably depend on the play," Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton said at the annual meeting of the Northwest Georgia Auburn Club Monday night. "Right now there's not a starter as such, we feel great about both of them. Who it would be, we feel like we got three running backs, but just based on experience it would be one of the two seniors probably."

Artis-Payne and Grant split reps with the first-team offense all spring long, including last week's A-Day game. Both scored touchdowns in limited action on A-Day with Grant racking up 128 yards, including 54 on his scoring burst up the right side, and Artis-Payne powering his way to 97 yards.

They also put up nearly identical levels of total production last season, both topping 600 yards and scoring six rushing touchdowns.

A decision will go at least until preseason camp, if not well into the season, as Horton and coach Gus Malzahn have track records of being very comfortable going with a committee of running backs. Even last season, Auburn was splitting carries three ways before Mason emerged as the workhorse en route to his record-setting 1,816 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Redshirt-freshman Peyton Barber was the third-wheel in the competition during spring practice and was supposed to have a chance to showcase his skills on A-Day but a high-ankle sprain and fumble on his first carry prematurely ended his day.

"I think you see the two seniors, they're pretty battle tested," Malzahn said. "Peyton Barber. It's pretty unfortunate, he had a very good spring and made a very good cut on that first drive, turned his ankle wasn't able to finish. Those three guys, they all had three very solid springs and we feel like we have some quality depth at that position."

Horton said the biggest thing Artis-Payne and Grant gained over the course of the spring was the "opportunity" to be the lead guy in practice on several occasions.

The Tigers tailbacks have been friendly competitors on and off the field, and neither has made any declarations of where they feel they stand in the race.

Horton said both have seniors have been very helpful to Barber's development as well.

"As a mentor and teacher to Peyton Barber, (Artis-Payne) is in to helping Peyton Barber," Horton said. "Whereas a lot of kids you see, well, Peyton Barber's a threat to me because he's a really good player, Cam and Corey, neither one are like that."

Corey Grant is in a dead heat with Cameron Artis-Payne for the starting running back job.