Underappreciated 2017 Missouri DE Anthony Payne Finally Breaking Through

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

It is really difficult to label a recruit an undervalued or under the radar prospect with 16 offers on the table but one could make the case for Raymore-Peculiar High School’s Anthony Payne.

Payne did nothing short of dominate Class 6 Missouri opponents throughout the 2015 season. “Red Lightening”, nickname given to Payne due to his quick and superhero-esq play on the field, came up with 61 tackles, 42 solo, 12 tackles for a loss, and four sacks during his junior year.

The now 6’3”, 260 pound, end was a beast off the end stopping the run, rushing the passer, and running down plays going away. Payne earned first team All-State honors displaying his freakish athletic ability. Despite being physically spot-on for a strong-side defensive end, Payne is quick – real quick reporting a 4.64 time in the 40-yard dash. Speed is not the only thing Red Lightening has going for him, he is also next level strong. Payne has a squat max of 635 pounds and a bench press of 405.

All the physical attributes were backed up during a recent showing at the Nike Opening regional in Dallas. His SPARQ score was 11.40 adding a 42” vertical and 10’2” broad jump to his resume.

Payne has caught the eye of a lot of colleges but maybe more of a Group of Five superhero than a Power Five ensemble piece – for now. The schools that have dropped scholarships on Payne’s doorstep for consideration includes Arkansas State, Bowling Green, Illinois State, Austin Peay, Miami (Ohio), Missouri State, North Dakota State, Wyoming, Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Northern Colorado, Tulane, and Army.

To the pains of Group of Five teams, Power Five programs are finally starting to come around to see the Missouri product. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the rising star covering his 2015 season, offseason workouts, and recruitment to date.

Interview

Anthony, how did your sophomore year play out?

“I started my junior year but I was switched in as a sophomore.”

You obviously made a big leap in your play on the field from 2014 to 2015. What strides did you make in your junior year to become that dominating kind of player?

“The game slowed down and I accepted the role of being a playmaker. I realized plays will come to me if I do my job and play hard. No matter who we played, I always felt that I was the best player on the field even if there was someone more athletic than me out there. I carried that edge with me.”

What are some of the things you do well as a defensive end?

“I think I come down really fast, I play aggressively, and I do not give up on plays. I make quarterbacks know where I am on every play. I think I bring that intimidation factor with me. They are never really safe no matter where they are on the field.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“Obviously everyone lifts, I focus on my flexibility. I think that is the No. 1 thing. You can be big but you need to be able to react quickly and move in another direction quick. My speed went from a high 4.8 to 4.6 this offseason. I worked on that and made good progress.”

Have you maxed out on any of the football lifts this offseason?

“Yes. My squat is between 650 to 675 pounds. I do not work on my bench too much. I think that is a pretty boy attribute. You don’t bench someone off you. My deadlift is close to 600 and my power clean is 315.”

Really impressive numbers.

“Thank you.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“I just want to make sure I get into the double-digit sack range. I want to get 90 tackles or so. If I can get 9 or 10 a game I think that is something I can do even as a defensive end. I want to get All-State again this year.”

How will your role change next year? Will we see you on offense some?

“It depends. I will play everywhere on the line and at linebacker on defense. They will move me around on all plays. You never know where I will line up. The coaches said they might roll me in at running back or fullback some next year. They are testing the idea. I could be a big running back the other team may not want to tackle next year.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 16 offers.”

Of the schools that have offered you, which ones are pushing a little bit harder than the others to land your commitment?

“It is tied between a few schools. Some schools have come and visited me, some want me up there to visit soon. Miami of Ohio and Bowling Green really want me. South Dakota State, I talk to their recruiting coordinator every other day. I’ve been talking to Arkansas State as well. We cut it up when we talk.”

Have you been on any unofficial visits so far?

“I’ve been to KSU (Kansas State), Mizzou (Missouri), ISU (Iowa State) Northern Iowa, Northern Illinois, Ole Miss, and Miami (Ohio).”

How did the Iowa State visit go for you?

“It was a pretty good visit. Their defensive line coach (Eli Rasheed) is a good guy. He hugged me as soon as he saw me. They seemed very interested in me at the time.”

What about your visit to Miami, how did that go?

“It was a really good time. I hung out with some of the players and saw a practice. I spoke with one of their team captains, JT Jones (defensive end). JT is a real good guy.”

Do you have any unofficial visits coming up?

“Nothing concrete. I’ll see how this next month goes. I’m talking to a bunch of Power Five schools. A lot of them are looking to offer me.”

Which schools are showing a lot of interest but have not offered you yet?

“KU (Kansas), KSU, and I think Memphis is going to offer soon. Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois – a bunch of schools are showing interest. I’m know I’m leaving some out.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“It is iffy right now because some kids commit to a school and that changes things. I’m planning on going to a KSU, Nebraska, and an Illinois camp at Trinity in St. Louis. I might go to a Michigan camp at Blue Springs South too.”

You have a lot of offers and from the sounds of it a lot more offers coming your way. Do you have a timeline on when you would like to verbally commit?

“I’ve been talking to my parents about this. I’d like to commit before school begins but I may wait.”

What are the things that will influence your college decision?

“I think it is how badly the coaches want me and how the coaches will implement me to their scheme. My mom and I are real close, I want her and my dad to make all my games. My dad, he puts my name out there as much as anyone. Family and playing time are the two main things.”

Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“I have a high 2’s. I killed the end of my semester. I should be around a 2.9 now.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I took the ACT and got a 22.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“I’d say English. I like writing. I’m good at brainstorming and coming up with something to write about. I can write all day.”

Do you know what degree you want to pursue in college?

“I think I want a business degree. I’ve known that for a few years now, unless I don’t like it when I am there.”

Which NFL player do you model your game after?

“That is the easiest question you have asked me. Donte Fowler (Jaguars), Khalil Mack (Raiders), and Elvis Dumervil (Ravens) are my favorite players. Dumervil is smaller than me even. We all play with a high motor. They do not give up on plays, they clean up plays, and come across the field to make plays just like I do. They have a different skill level than me, I’m just not there yet.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I’d say the feeling you get walking on the field on a Friday night. Making a play and standing on top of a quarterback after getting a sack – that is a great feeling there.”

Spoken like a true defensive player. Anthony, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Payne family; Anthony Payne at the Nike Opening regional in Dallas.

Photo credit: Payne family; Anthony Payne at Missouri.

Photo credit: Payne family; Antony Payne at an Arkansas camp.