Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1492675
M A R C H 2 0 2 3 3 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / P L A Y E R B I O S / / / / / / / T here's often reason to be wary when a college football prospect verbally commits well over a year before the sign- ing date for his class. Early commitments leave a lot of time for changes of heart. If anything, though, western Pennsyl- vania defensive back Lamont Payne Jr. felt like he could have made his announce- ment even earlier than he did. Payne in- formed coach James Franklin a few hours prior to kickoff of the Penn State-Auburn game in September 2021 that he planned to sign with the Nittany Lions, but the de- cision had essentially been made months before. "I thought about doing it way sooner," Payne said. "When I camped with them in the summer [of 2021], I was feeling it, but my dad and I talked, and we decided that it wasn't good to rush it." Payne clearly didn't rush into anything, as evidenced by his unwavering loyalty to PSU during the 15 months that fol- lowed. He was the second player to join the Lions' class, and this past December he made it official. A three-star prospect in the On3 Consensus, Payne displayed impressive versatility at Chartiers Valley High just outside of Pittsburgh. He starred on of- fense and defense, totaling 1,154 receiving yards during his three seasons as a var- sity letterwinner, while also intercepting 7 passes on defense, including 4 picks his senior year. "Lamont is a player who contributed to the team in many ways," Chartiers Val- ley coach Aaron Fitzpatrick said. "Many teams did not throw his way. He's a great cover guy and a physical corner." Listed at 6-foot, 185 pounds, Payne is set to play defense at the college level, where his versatility should continue to pay dividends. While the January enrollee is likely to start out at cornerback, he has the size to develop into a safety. Payne earned an offer from Penn State in April 2021, and the Nittany Lions' pur- suit intensified in the months that fol- lowed. During an appearance at the team's Whiteout Camp in June, Payne looked good while covering wideout Kaden Saunders, a verbally committed prospect in the Lions' 2022 class. Later that summer, he turned in a 4.51-second 40-yard time at a Pitt foot- ball camp. While he gave the Panthers some consideration, along with West Virginia, where his grandfather played football from 1978-81, his heart was with the Lions. "They provide everything I need," Payne said. "It's just a good decision for me and the family." ■ Payne played offense and defense in three varsity sea- sons at Chartiers Valley near Pittsburgh and earned Class AAAA all-state honors as a junior. PHOTO BY GREG PICKEL Lamont Payne Jr. Western Pa. defensive back knew all along PSU was the choice M AT T H E R B | M A T T. H E R B @ O N 3 . C O M DB | 6-0 | 185 Chartiers Valley High Carnegie, Pa. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Consensus HHH 687 68 15 On3 HHH — 96 25 ESPN HHH — 82 21 Rivals HHHH — 34 7 247Sports HHH — 83 15 Statistics • Totaled 43 tackles and 4 interceptions as a senior at Chartiers Valley while also catching 19 passes for 380 yards on offense • Had 26 tackles and 1 interception as a junior, to go with 26 catches for 343 yards on offense • Enjoyed his most productive offensive sea- son at the high school level, finishing with 33 receptions for 431 yards along with 2 intercep- tions and 2 pass breakups as a sophomore Notable • Was a three-year letterman and a team captain as a senior • Earned Class AAAA all-state honors as a junior and All-Parkway Conference recognition as a defensive back • Was a three-year letterman in track, com- peting in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races while also participating on relay teams Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on Sept. 18, 2021 • Picked the Lions over offers from West Vir- ginia, Pitt, Rutgers and Virginia Tech • Recruited by cornerbacks coach Terry Smith • Officially visited Penn State on June 17, 2022 • Enrolled in January 2023 2023 Projection The Lions boast a trio of solid cornerbacks in junior Kalen King, senior Johnny Dixon and North Carolina transfer Storm Duck. After those three, however, the depth chart is in flux. There might be an opportunity for one of the new guys to earn playing time here. As a Janu- ary enrollee, Payne could be in that mix. They Said It BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "Penn State has a pretty good track record of taking bigger cornerbacks and moving them to safety if they don't develop the movement skills expected over time. Payne is a great physical presence on defense and is a feisty blocker on offense. Cornerback is his most likely position at the college level, but he also has the frame and skills to be a quality free safety prospect." T H E PAY N E F I L E