Posted: May 02, 2015

Former Hancock Star Cameron Artis-Payne Selected in Fifth Round by Carolina Panthers in 2015 NFL Draft

The Carolina Panthers selected former Allan Hancock College running back Cameron Artis-Payne in the fifth round with the 174th overall pick during the 2015 National Football League Draft on Saturday. Artis-Payne was the 38th pick of the fifth round and the 17th running back selected during the three-day draft.

During his senior season at Auburn University, Artis-Payne led the Southeastern Conference with 1,608 rushing yards and 123.7 rushing yards per game for the Tigers. The former Bulldog's season total on the ground last season ranks third-highest in Auburn history. Artis-Payne was also named the team's offensive MVP and an All-SEC First Team selection. Artis-Payne rushed for 610 yards while serving as a backup running back his junior season.

Artis-Payne enjoyed a historic career at Hancock. He rushed for a total of 3,412 career yards and scored 43 touchdowns. He was an All-American his sophomore season when he rushed for a total of 2,048 yards and 25 touchdowns. Artis-Payne owns the program records in all four of those categories.

While a handful of former Bulldogs have played in the NFL, most recently, Dorson Boyce with the Washington Redskins in 2012, Artis-Payne is the first former Hancock football player to be drafted since running back Sheldon Canley in 1991. Canley, a Lompoc High School graduate, earned an associate degree from Hancock and transferred to San Jose State before he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round.

Carolina went 7-8-1 last season and won the NFC South. The Panthers defeated Arizona 27-16 in the wild card round during the postseason before falling to Seattle 31-17.