Camerun Peoples aims to crack Panthers’ RB rotation

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina Panthers running back Camerun Peoples takes a handoff from quarterback Bryce Young during rookie minicamp in May. Peoples is trying to make the team as an undrafted rookie.

After waiting for the first two offensive units to run through plays during the Carolina Panthers’ June 14 practice, running back Camerun Peoples jogged onto the practice field and lined up behind quarterback Matt Corral, patiently waiting for a chance to make a play.

The rookie from Appalachian State needed to wait a little longer.  

On his first play, Peoples ran a decoy screen route as Corral delivered a pass to wide receiver Gary Jennings. Competing until the whistle, Peoples darted upfield to deliver a virtual open-field block.

On his second play, Peoples ran a route over the middle as Corral passed downfield to wide receiver C.J. Saunders.

On his third play, Peoples ran a wheel route and headed up the far sideline, but the pass attempt went to the opposite side of the field.

His time on the 7-on-7 drill was up as the first team, led by first overall draft pick Bryce Young, returned to the practice field behind Bank of America Stadium.

During the final mandatory minicamp workout, Peoples jogged back to the sideline, forced to wait for another opportunity to make an impression on the coaching staff.
Is his time coming?

‘I belong here’

A native of Lineville, Alabama, Peoples (6-2, 225 pounds) signed as an undrafted free agent after April’s draft. The Sun Belt Conference’s leading rusher as a sophomore, Peoples shared the backfield as a senior, accumulating 593 yards on 101 attempts.

Despite starting just 15 of 36 career games with the Moutaineers, Peoples finished with 2,830 yards rushing and 33 touchdowns, both of which are top-10 program marks. A team captain, he averaged 6.2 yards per rushing attempt his final season.

Peoples’ talent was on display in the second quarter of the Mountaineers’ game against Georgia State last season. Down 14-0, Peoples provided a lift on fourth-and-1.  
Starting from a single-back set, Peoples took a handoff from quarterback Chase Brice and ran up the middle, plowing through two defenders near the line of scrimmage. In the open field, he dragged linebacker Jontrey Hunter 7 yards and outmuscled a shoulder tackle by linebacker Jacorey Crawford near the goal line for a 16-yard touchdown run.

Sparked by Peoples’ 168 yards and two TDs, the Mountaineers rallied for 28 unanswered points during a 42-17 victory at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Peoples remains confident he’ll get opportunities to prove himself during the Panthers’ training camp, which kicks off with full-team practices July 26 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

“Every morning I step in the locker room, it’s just a feeling that I belong here (with the Panthers),” Peoples said. “I thank God first for putting me in this position because I worked my tail off to get here.  

“They wanted me here. They brought me in here because they believe in me.”

Ready to put pads on

To break training camp with Panthers, either on the 53-man roster or the practice squad, Peoples will need to continue to believe in himself – and be patient while waiting for an opportunity to show he can be an NFL-caliber running back.

Through rookie minicamp, offseason training activities and mandatory minicamp, Peoples said he continued to adjust to the challenges of coming from a mid-major level program.

“I learned a lot more about my position, about the game,” he said. “I’m trying to learn as much as I can. Watching film, talking to coaches, asking questions.
“Now I can come back for fall camp and apply what I know and play fast and loose.”

He’ll need to.

With Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard expected to fill the top two spots, the Panthers likely will carry no more than two more running backs on the regular-season roster. That means Peoples will need to supplant Raheem Blackshear, who adds special teams value, and Spencer Brown, a big, between-the-tackles type runner.

During offseason workouts, coach Frank Reich said Peoples proved he belongs, but needs to see him perform during training camp.

“He’s a big, strong guy,” Reich said in June. “I want to see him with the pads on and see if he can’t do any damage.  I’m looking forward to that.”

So is Peoples.

“In fall camp,” he said, “I will be ready to maximize my opportunity even more.”

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