The Wolverine

PREP PROFILES Florida Lineman Has Midwest Connections Mason Cole East Lake High School Tarpon Springs, Fla. Position: Offensive Lineman Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 275 Michigan's presence in Florida picked up during the coaching tenure of Rich Rodriguez, with the Wolverines land- ing players like senior quarterback De- nard Robinson and junior safety Mar- vin Robinson during the spread era in Ann Arbor. That hasn't continued as much with Brady Hoke. Michigan has signed only one Florida player under Hoke, and Tampa Plant offensive line- man Tony Posada was out of football before ever seeing the field as a Wol- verine. Michigan's connection to Florida holds a Michigan offer. "I'm originally from Chicago, so when we were planning on trying to get a trip up to go back and see all my ex- tended family, we decided that we will fit in a couple visits while we were up there," he said. Cole took a trip to Ann Arbor on that family vacation and liked what he saw during the Wolverines' Barbecue at The Big House. He enjoyed it so much, Mason Cole "I'm just going to wait to make a decision. When I'm ready, I'll feel it, and that's when I'll start to decide. I'm just trying to keep an open mind, because it is so early." in fact, that he and teammate Artvais Scott will return for Michigan's game against Michigan State Oct. 20. "Both of those schools have a lot of could resume in the 2014 class. Tarpon Springs East Lake offensive lineman Mason Cole is a Midwest boy at heart, and that could help him end up back in the region for college. He already tradition," he said. "That's one of the things I like: I want to go to a school that's got tradition and history in it. I'm excited to see all that stuff and see The Big House." A second trip in just a few months that's when I'll start to decide," he said. "I'm just trying to keep an open mind, because it is so early." The 6-5, 275-pounder would be an could help Cole see that his future lies in Ann Arbor. The combination of op- portunity on the football field and a homecoming of sorts for the Midwest native could sway him to Michigan. Don't expect a quick commitment, though. Although he's leaving the door open for a decision, Cole plans to take his time. "I'm just going to wait to make a de- cision. When I'm ready, I'll feel it, and excellent fit at either tackle or guard in Michigan's offense. He has quick feet to protect the passer, and a tough mentality in the run game that allows him to consistently bury defenders. — Tim Sullivan nerback D'Andre Payne isn't one of the biggest cornerbacks in the world. What the 5-9, 172-pounder lacks in size, how- ever, he makes up for with coverage ability. Payne is an explosive athlete with very good flexibility and change of direction. His instincts allow him to be in the right position at the right time, and stay close to wide receivers in the secondary. Even though most Division I wide receivers have at least a couple inches on him, quarterbacks still need to make perfect throws to complete passes when Payne is locking down their target. Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson cor- D'Andre Payne "I want to go to Michigan, but I want to go to one of the games — that's a big thing. I want to visit and meet the coaching staff, meet the head man, check out the facilities, and just a good vibe about Michigan." A true competitor, Payne is never sat- isfied and sees plenty of room for im- provement in his game. "I think I should work on my hips more," he said. "They're kind of loose, but I think they could be much looser. He said he really likes how I play my game— my backpedal, my footwork, my technique. The junior is hoping to give Mallory the chance to continue building that relationship with a game visit to Michi- " D.C. Cornerback Has Interest In U-M Technique is never 'great' — you always have to work on that. I've got good re- covery speed, and I've got good feet, but I could work on my feet so they can get faster. Payne visited Ann Arbor once in the summer for the Wolverine Technique School summer camp, and got a chance to experience what could be in store for him should he ultimately play his col- lege ball for the Wolverines. "It went pretty good; I worked out " talk to him, and he was saying that he wanted us to build a better relationship. " Payne explained. "I got to D'Andre Payne H.D. Woodson High School Washington, D.C. Position: Cornerback Ht.: 5-9 • Wt.: 172 in front of Coach [Curt] Mallory who coaches DBs, gan. He's already seen campus once, but knows that it will be a whole new experience being inside The Big House filled with 110,000 screaming fans. "I want to go to Michigan, but I want to go to one of the games — that's a big thing, the coaching staff, meet the head man, check out the facilities, and just a good vibe about Michigan. "I just want a place where I can call home. Just a place I don't even want to go back to my real home on summer break. I won't want to leave there, just to hang out with my team. All of that is what I'm looking for. " he said. "I want to visit and meet from the Wolverines, but the amount of interest they're giving him — and he's reciprocating — could mean that one isn't too far off in the future. — Tim Sullivan Payne doesn't yet hold an official offer " OCTOBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 73

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