Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn has named senior Cameron Artis-Payne the starter at running back today against Arkansas.

Auburn center Reese Dismukes said on SiriusXM’s College Sports Nation  during fall camp that Auburn running back Cameron Artis-Payne had the hot hand in practices and wound probably earn the start against Arkansas.

“I think it’ll probably be maybe Cameron Artis-Payne that’ll probably start off with that (starting) role,” said Dismukes, as reported by the Montgomery Advertiser “I think coach Malzahn, these coaches do a good job of whoever’s hot is going to get the ball and they want the ball in that person’s hands.”

Artis-Payne, a Pennsylvania native who played two years at Allan Hancock Community College prior to transferring to Auburn last season, was fourth on the team in rushing last season with 614 yards. His production fell off toward the end of the season.

Artis-Payne and Corey Grant headed into fall camp neck-and-neck for the starting job. Artis-Payne is a physical, bruising back that can run between the tackles while Grant utilizes his speed last year to hit the edge and break outside. In an effort to win the starting job, Grant added weight to his 205 pound frame to show that he could be a between-the-tackles back as well.