Seniors create class separation among Tigers running backs

AUBURN – There's a literal class divide among Auburn's running backs.

Seniors Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant, who both topped 600 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns while playing behind Tre Mason last season, have pulled away from their trio of freshmen counterparts after the first week of preseason camp.

"I think right now, the two seniors have separated themselves from the others, just from a knowledge standpoint of the offense and the experience factor," Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton said. "Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant both have a chance to be some of the better running backs in the SEC, if not the country."

Redshirt freshman Peyton Barber and true freshmen Roc Thomas and Kamryn Pettway received the majority of the reps in Wednesday's scrimmage and while all could contribute in some fashion this season, it's unlikely they'll be challenging their elders for the starting job.

"I don't know if that's impossible," Horton said, "but at the same time I would anticipate our two old hands kind of being the guys that'll lead the charge in the opener."

It's unrealistic to expect any player, let alone a freshman, who hasn't taken a snap in college to challenge an established player, for a starting job before the season.

"It's very difficult," Barber said of the amount of competition in the backfield. "Sometimes it messes with your head, but you just have to stay confident in yourself."

Artis-Payne ran for 610 yards and six TDs on 91 carries last season and is the bulkier and more physical back compared to the speedy Grant, who ran for 647 yards and six scores on 66 carries.

Horton believes Artis-Payne, the more durable of the two, will have a "terrific" season.

"He has prepared very, very well throughout the summer and so far in fall camp," Horton said. "He's a better player today than he was last year at this time. He's quicker, he sees things better, he has a better understanding of the offense, he runs with a better pad level, he has better ball security."

There still isn't much of a difference between Artis-Payne and Grant, whose opposite skills sets complement each other well.

Last week, Grant said he wanted to prove he could run between the tackles, while Artis-Payne has tried to become faster.

"They've done everything and more to justify being the starter," Horton said. "Right now at this point I don't want to get so caught up in who is going to run out there the first play or not. It's not that important."