Allan Hancock College alum Cameron Artis-Payne was recently drafted by the Carolina Panthers during the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Artis-Payne was the 17th running back selected and the 174th pick overall. He could not be reached for comment as of press time.
Artis-Payne is the first former Hancock football player drafted since Lompoc High School graduate Sheldon Canley was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 1991 draft. A few other former Bulldogs have played in the NFL, including Dorson Boyce with the Washington Redskins.
During his brief tenure at Hancock, Artis-Payne smashed school records by rushing 3,412 career yards and scoring some 43 touchdowns. More than 2,000 of those yards and 25 of those touchdowns came during a red-hot sophomore season, earning him the title of All-American.
After Hancock, Artis-Payne signed with Auburn University, a pigskin powerhouse of the fearsome Southeastern Conference, and played two seasons at the center of Gus Malzahn’s power running offense. The Tigers lost to Florida State in the 2014 fight for the conference title, but Artis-Payne was named to the conference’s first team and offensive MVP after rushing 1,608 yards.
This article appears in May 7-14, 2015.