NFL Draft: App State RB Cam Peoples 4Q 8.5 yards per carry proves defenses succumb to his battering ram style of play
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NFL scouts rarely forget anything. If anything does get lost in their mental memory bank, they go back and watch the tape. It’s always about the tape. Fast forward and rewind. Pause, then play. It’s taxing rewatching so much film, but it’s the most trusted process in the business.
When the film room lights are turned on, and they begin to review Appalachian State running back Cam Peoples, they are automatically selecting the 2020 Myrtle Beach Bowl. Peoples won MVP with his 317 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
A performance that set an NCAA’s single-game bowl record for rushing yards broke App State’s school record for single-game rushing yards and tied the NCAA bowl record for rushing touchdowns, and tied the Mountaineers' school record for rushing touchdowns.
“My redshirt sophomore year after the bowl game,” Peoples said, is when the reality of playing in the National Football League really began to sink in.
The dream of playing in the NFL was instilled in him at an early age. He grew up being the gifted athlete growing accustomed to being the team's starting running back each fall. The only time he failed to secure that spot was his seventh-grade year when the county he lived in combined two smaller schools and created an influx of talent. That was the only he didn’t start on offense, but he was the team’s starting safety that year.
The years would mold him into a Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL Combine selection. Honors equivalent to being nominated for an Oscar were a few of the accolades, along with his Myrtle Beach Bowl MVP award, added to his 2023 NFL Draft resume.
Perusing his senior season statistics, one can be easily misled. Peoples had 593 yards rushing and were second on the team in that category, trailing teammate Nate Noel with 604. However, Appalachian State relied heavily on its running game using a plethora of tailbacks. Ranking 21st in the nation with 204.4 rushing yards per game, Peoples led the team with 101 carries, with four others combining for 321 carries of 80.3 per game.
Former Appalachian State alum and a sixth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft D.J. Smith, who coached the Mountaineers linebackers between 2018-19, called Peoples “E.D” for Eric Dickerson. With his long lengthy frame and upright running style, it was a natural fit for the five-year NFL veteran to take notice of when watching Peoples. However, Peoples shared his love for watching Hall of Famer Walter Payton as the guy he himself watches the most.
Peoples’ career 6.2 yards per carry confirms his battering ram style of play. Arm tackles and half-hearted efforts aren’t going to bring him down, especially late in the game when he feels his game is at its absolute best.
“Oh, my goodness, man, it’s so fun,” Peoples laughed when thinking about punishing his defenders. “I don’t know how many running backs truly enjoy breaking down somebody’s body for four quarters straight. I always find joy in that. They’re tired, and I’m not tired yet. We can do this all day.”
That prize fighter mentality of landing those body blows is what Peoples loves most, carrying the football. During his time with NFL teams via the Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, Peoples felt it was his understanding of the game that they took notice of during his time interviewing with different teams. It was also something that I noticed during our interview. Peoples has a thinking man’s approach to the position but also relishes its physicality.
“I feel like most of them were pretty impressed with my knowledge of the game,” Peoples said. “They really wanted to know if I can protect. If I knew my stuff with the o-line. That’s something I always worked on every day at App when I was in school. I think they were really impressed with what I knew about the game. Having knowledge and that skill set that’s pretty hectic, yah know. That’s a lot for any defense to deal with for all fourth quarters.”
Peoples next draft audition takes place on March 30th at the school's Pro Day. The opportunity to top his NFL Combine results and help secure his place amongst the 259 available selections over seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.
