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Appalachian State v Miami

Source: Michael Reaves / Getty

Camerun Peoples is one of the most successful running backs to roll through the confides of Kidd-Brewer Stadium for the Appalachian State Mountaineers. In his four seasons with the program, Peoples ran for 2,830 yards, 33 touchdowns and averaged a program-record 6.22 yards per carry, all while starting just 15 of the 36 games he played in.

Despite his success in Boone, he did not hear his name called on any of the three days of the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, leaving him a free agent. Just hours after the final pick was made, it was announced that Peoples was staying in the state of North Carolina and had signed with the Carolina Panthers.

“As soon as the draft ended, I got a phone call from my agent,” Peoples told the Mac & Bone Show earlier today. “He said the Panthers wanted me and I jumped at the opportunity.” There certainly is opportunity here for the undrafted rookie. The team does have a nice 1-2 punch at the top of new running backs coach Duce Staley’s room with free agent signee Miles Sanders and incumbent rotational back Chuba Hubbard, but beyond that it feels pretty wide open.

One of the abilities that jumps of the page for Peoples is the downhill nature that he runs with and earlier this morning that was what Mac pointed to this morning. “I think there is a place for a guy like that on this roster. There is an opportunity there for him if he can contribute on special teams.”

The focus right now for Peoples is on learning what the staff wants him to learn. “They just want me to learn and add value wherever that may be. Coach Staley’s really trying to preach to me how important it is to run down with my pads low and get in between tackles and use my feet and use my power.”

 

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE