AUBURN, Ala. — High school recruiting dies down for a few weeks during an NCAA-mandated break, but today marks the first day of midyear junior college transfers being able to sign their commitment on paper.
Cameron Artis-Payne, perhaps the top running back juco back in the nation, did just that with Auburn this morning, the school announced Wednesday.
New coach Gus Malzahn’s first official signee bolsters the Tigers’ depth in the backfield, behind 1,000-yard rusher Tre Mason, Mike Blakely and Corey Grant.
Courtesy Allan Hancock College
Artis-Payne knows a little something about gobbling up yards on the ground, in two years at Allan Hancock Community College in Santa Maria, Calif. He rushed for 2,048 yards (7.8 per carry) and 25 touchdowns in ten games in 2012, all high-water marks in the California Community College Athletic Association. He was named SoCal Football Association player of the week five times.
As a freshman in 2011, Artis-Payne ran for 1,364 yards and scored 18 touchdowns, listed to the All-California First Team Offense in Region IV by the California Community College Football Coaches Association.
Artis-Payne is originally from Harrisburg, Pa. He graduated in 2008 from Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y.
Junior college transfers may sign with their new schools through Jan. 15. Regular coach-to-player contact at the high school ranks resumes Jan. 3, and National Signing Day is Feb. 6.