'14 DC CB D'Andre Payne (UT commit 4/3/13)

#808
#808
AbarVolfan15 said:
“I'm going to be a Vol,” said Payne, who’s ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 175 overall prospect and No. 16 cornerback in the 2014 class. “Tennessee was just the place for me. I was so impressed by the visit that I took there, and I knew that I was going to fit in there.”
“I love that coaching staff at UT,” Payne said. "Coach Jones is putting together a masterpiece with the program, and he is going to turn it around and get it back to being a powerhouse. I want to be a part of that.
“I really like my position coach, Coach Martinez. He is very aggressive, and that's the kind of coach I want. I have a chance to play early with the numbers they have the cornerback position. Plus, it doesn't get much better than SEC football.
“Coach Thigpen is the man. He and I have the closest relationship out of all the coaches recruiting me. Without him, I probably never would have visited there in the first place.”
Payne said he still may take some visits, but he’s solid in his commitment to Tennessee, and he will be doing his part to bring other top players with him. His top target will be close friend and teammate Jalen Tabor, a five-star cornerback who’s ranked the No. 17 overall prospect in the industry-generated 247Composite.
“Jalen is going to hear from me all the time,” Payne said. “I definitely want him to join me.”

-247
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this is awesome!
 
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#811
#811
Happy to get this kid--but what kind of competition does Friendship Academy in D.C. play? I have my doubts about the league in which he plays.
 
#812
#812
Add another recruiter to the staff. This is why commitments this early are huge. And why our classes failed to live up to expectations recently.
 
#815
#815
armchair said:
Happy to get this kid--but what kind of competition does Friendship Academy in D.C. play? I have my doubts about the league in which he plays.
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The DMV, I've always felt, could be a gold mine for an SEC program that has to recruit out-of-state, like Tennessee. Throw in the fact that Knoxville, along with Columbia, S.C., are the two closest SEC cities to the DMV, and it turns into a potential gold mine for the Vols.

Payne was an early lean to some ACC programs, but Tommy Thigpen, who is one of the best recruiters in the country, and the Vols staff really ran away with it the last few months. I've also learned from covering that area that it sometimes takes one to get the ball rolling and then you can go back and get players year after year.

So with Todd Kelly, an Army All-American at safety, and now a Top247 cornerback in the fold, the future of the secondary looks very bright. Payne isn't the tallest corner in the world, but he's very skilled and with the right development and work can be a very good player.

UT also is up to No. 6 in the 2014 team football recruiting rankings from 247Sports.
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- JC Schurburtt 247.

There are a ton of players from the Maryland, North VA, DC area. He probably plays some pretty stiff competition. Just because he's not from south FLA doesn't mean he plays weak HS football.
 
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#816
#816
armchair said:
Happy to get this kid--but what kind of competition does Friendship Academy in D.C. play? I have my doubts about the league in which he plays.
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Quit doubting.

Friendship Academy produces top-notch D1 prospects year-in and year-out. They are very good and play some of the best competition in the DC area.
 
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#818
#818
I just watched his highlights for the first time. I now could care less he's only 5'9. When he tackles he tackles! Been a while since I've seen UT corners try to drive through people when they tackle
 
#820
#820
armchair said:
Happy to get this kid--but what kind of competition does Friendship Academy in D.C. play? I have my doubts about the league in which he plays.
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Look at his offer list. If your doubts remain, you probably need a new sport.
 
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#821
#821
I grew 2 inches from my junior to senior year. Tifwiw so the dude my grow a little bit. Still a heck of a player
 
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#824
#824
armchair said:
Happy to get this kid--but what kind of competition does Friendship Academy in D.C. play? I have my doubts about the league in which he plays.
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After researching his high school a little, this is what I found. I know a lot about Mr. Hurd, so I will use his high school as a reference. According to Max Preps, Hurd's high school (Beech - Hendersonville) is ranked as the 130th best football team in the nation. Payne's high school (Friendship Academy - DC) was ranked 3,184th in the nation. I know, I know, it doesn't look good, BUT I do not believe that this young man could be ranked so highly if he was not a stellar athlete.

I am excited and welcome Mr. Payne to Rocky Top!
 
#825
#825
a little late to the party but:

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and just because
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