'12 CA WR Jordan Payton (UCLA Signed LOI)

[Rack Em]

With Greenberry and Ferguson on board, and some high profile receivers still uncommitted, I'm not sure we're gonna go hard after Payton tbh.

Good point, but I still think we take him if he wants to come to South Bend. And there really aren't too many other big-framed WRs that we're in the running for that are rated ahead of him (Stanford, DGB, Avery Johnson, etc).

Maybe the staff will cool with a few other WRs if they feel they have a good shot with Payton?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

What i have read is that there is alot of mutual interest...in fact he is suppose to visit.

If he's beating down Kelly's door, I'm sure we'd accept his verbal. He's a consensus 4 after all. He's a tall boundary receiver though, and we've already got two similar guys on board.

I guess it comes down to two things: (1) does Kelly care about picking up at least one prototypical slot receiver (or is he counting on our 2nd RB recruit to be a hybrid RB/ slot guy); and (2) how many receivers are we taking this year; I've seen estimates between 3 and 5.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Need his teammate too

Itd be nice to start a pipeline to this school. Itd be very nice.

 

[Riddickulous]

With Greenberry and Ferguson on board, and some high profile receivers still uncommitted, I'm not sure we're gonna go hard after Payton tbh.

We want the best. If the staff deems Payton the best, they'll recruit him relentlessly.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

If he's beating down Kelly's door, I'm sure we'd accept his verbal. He's a consensus 4 after all. He's a tall boundary receiver though, and we've already got two similar guys on board.

I guess it comes down to two things: (1) does Kelly care about picking up at least one prototypical slot receiver (or is he counting on our 2nd RB recruit to be a hybrid RB/ slot guy); and (2) how many receivers are we taking this year; I've seen estimates between 3 and 5.

Payton is a top WR in the nation...I would argue top 10. We would take him.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Payton is a top WR in the nation...I would argue top 10. We would take him.

Rivals: , 13th WR, 96th Nationally
ESPN: , 19th WR, 146th Nationally
247: , 23rd WR
Scout: , 5th WR

Composite Score: 4, 15th WR, 121st Nationally

He's undeniably a solid 4 WR, but by NSD, Greenberry and Ferguson will be as well. Do we have room for a 3rd 4 boundary receiver? I don't know. As I mentioned earlier, it depends on what Kelly wants.

My only point was this: if Payton is still strongly interested in ND, I'm sure we'd take him. But if he's not, Kelly's staff might choose not expend a lot of effort on courting this kid since we have Greenberry and Ferguson already.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Rivals: , 13th WR, 96th Nationally
ESPN: , 19th WR, 146th Nationally
247: , 23rd WR
Scout: , 5th WR

Composite Score: 4, 15th WR, 121st Nationally

He's undeniably a solid 4 WR, but by NSD, Greenberry and Ferguson will be as well. Do we have room for a 3rd 4 boundary receiver? I don't know. As I mentioned earlier, it depends on what Kelly wants.

My only point was this: if Payton is still strongly interested in ND, I'm sure we'd take him. But if he's not, Kelly's staff might choose not expend a lot of effort on courting this kid since we have Greenberry and Ferguson already.

I know what his star/ranking across the different services. If this helps IMO he is a top 10 receiver. And I think it would be unwise to say we are done at boundary receivers until NSD and the fax come in.

And my point is that there is more to story then what is on the surface:

- He is a Oaks Christian Kid, ND likes taking kids from this school
- Oaks Christian Ishmael Adams is still in play
- ND likes to take USC recruits any time they can
- Both Denbrock and Alford have had contact with Jordan
- As mentioned earlier in this thread he has a "link" to ND

Your point is valid I am not arguring that...however, IMO I think JP is still being pursued aggressivly by BK and company.

 

[beryirish]

ISD Tweet

CA WR Jordan Payton confirms he hs decommitted from USC and is still considering ND. He says he has no favorites at the moment.

I bet he visits and I bet ND wants him and would take him

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Your point is valid I am not arguring that...however, IMO I think JP is still being pursued aggressivly by BK and company.

That's fair. I wasn't really arguing against anyone; just trying to clarify my point that Kelly and co. might not pursue him aggressively if the mutual interest has cooled.

 

[BleedBlue&Gold]

If that 4.49 speed is legit, Kelly better take him. You can line speed up anywhere.

 

[BeauBenken]

This kid is very, very good. He's quick for his size and has good hands.

Great news to hear he decommitted from USC. Of course, any decommitment from USC is good news.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

That's fair. I wasn't really arguing against anyone; just trying to clarify my point that Kelly and co. might not pursue him aggressively if the mutual interest has cooled.

Fair enough....btw...go the the 3:33 of the clip "...this F*cking heat is making me absolutly crazy..." only someone in AZ could appreciate that clip.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SrPxkAF325g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Good discussion.

 

[BeauBenken]

If that 4.49 speed is legit, Kelly better take him. You can line speed up anywhere.

He looks like he could be even faster in my opinion.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

He looks like he could be even faster in my opinion.

He looks BIG...and some of his cuts are impressive.

 

[BeauBenken]

He looks BIG...and some of his cuts are impressive.

That's what sticks out to me the most. Good size, speed, hands...but those cuts are sick for someone with all the previously mentioned attributes.

He has a great blend of everything.

 

[Chicago Irish Fan]

This might not actually be such a bad thing for USC considering their limited scholarships and depth at WR.

 

[BeauBenken]

This might not actually be such a bad thing for USC considering their limited scholarships and depth at WR.

Very true.

 

[IrishLax]

Rumors are out there that the staff actually "pushed" him into this.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Rumors are out there that the staff actually "pushed" him into this.

Kiffy's staff?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Fair enough....btw...go the the 3:33 of the clip "...this F*cking heat is making me absolutly crazy..." only someone in AZ could appreciate that clip.

High of 117 today. It's days like this where I like to remind myself that you don't have to shovel sunshine, and as long as my A/C is working...

 

[IrishLax]

Kiffy's staff?

Indeed. They had 3 WRs committed with tons of depth at the position and only 15 slots in this class. Apparently they wanted him to come "prove himself" at some camp or something... he didn't show and the decommitted. Then he had some quotes about the scholly limit affecting things. So who knows.

 

[Grahambo]

I'd take him if he wants to come here. Can never have enough depth.

 

[ThePiombino]

I understand he would be the 3rd boundary receiver in this class, but wouldn't he be the best of the bunch by a reasonable margin- not to take anything away from the 1st two commits. My point being, there is a good chance that IF he were to sign with ND that he would be the most talented receiver in the class for ND. Hard to pass that up.

 

[GBdomer]

TOS i guess says he has a top 3 now of Scum, Cal and Florida. who knows

 

[woolybug25]

Whoa whoa whoa.....


How did I miss this? This is huge. I think a little pee just came out.

 

[beryirish]

TOS i guess says he has a top 3 now of Scum, Cal and Florida. who knows

scUM??!!! I see they only have one WR and he's pretty low rated. This would turn from a good day to absolute disaster if he goes there.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Here's the thing with Payton. He always claims to be interested in ND, says he wants to visit, says his gf's dad is a big fan, blah blah blah. But he never makes concrete plans, and he seemingly never talks about ND to other sites. Ever. So us 'losing' him to Michigan makes no sense. We're not losing him, b/c he has never been a kid ND has been in on. Not yet anyway. Of course this is recruiting, and anything can and will happen.

As for his game, USC fans are relieved b/c his jr season was not a great one at all. What happened was he blew up his soph year, got an offer from SC, committed on the spot, and basically got big-headed. Lost that fire, that hunger. He worked, but not like someone on a mission. Then he got hurt, played through it, and looked slow. People noticed his game slipping and talked about it. Well, he heard the talk, and has been putting in serious work and has looked good at camps. He's gonna be a serious prospect again this year. But USC has some serious numbers issues, so this was expected. Another team is going to benefit big time...

EDIT: Per his words to a Scout reporter: His top 3, other than USC, are Oklahoma, Florida, and Michigan. He's also taking an OV to Arkansas for sure. No mention of ND, which is consistent with what I wrote above...

 

[anarin]

The sun was out, the weather was hot and the games were fierce at SMU's Gerald Ford Stadium Saturday afternoon for the Badger Sports 7-on-7 National Championship tournament. Teams from across the country rolled into town with high expectations as round robin play began and while no one made it through the day undefeated, the competition level was high from goal line to goal line.

The most talked about player at the event was easily Westlake Village (Calif.) receiver Jordan Payton. After becoming USC's first commitment for the class of 2012, the savvy wide out spent most of the spring and summer worried more about his own game than the recruiting game. However, since decommitting from the Trojans last week, he's been checking his phone a lot more often for information from college coaches.

“I've been 'monitoring' it,” Payton said with a laugh. “That's what I call it. I've been emailing back and forth with Michigan and several other schools.”

It should be noted that Payton was still out on the fields in the Texas heat running the same routes, making the same great catches and finding the end zone when he wasn't moonlighting as a safety for his 1925 All-Star team. Still, things were just a little bit different now that he was no longer committed.

“All of the schools, it's weird because they offer you and then they didn't talk to me as much because I was committed,” he said. “Now, Michigan, Cal, Arizona State, Florida (are talking to him). I'm interested to hear what Florida State's going to say.

“It's like I'm in a different area, I don't know what to do. I've only been committed. But I'm feeling good and I'm happy and taking it slow.”

The MaxPreps Top 100 receiver is still considering the local team, USC, and will meet with coaches next week to discuss his options. The biggest reason in pulling his verbal pledge back was to give the staff a chance to figure out their limited scholarship numbers and Payton knows that having to sit across from the coaches and talk with them about his place in the program going forwards is going to be a bit awkward when it happens.

“I'll be down there to talk with them so we'll see how that goes,” he said. “I have no idea what to expect to be honest with you.”

Kind of like talking with an ex-girlfriend?

“Exactly,” he said.

Payton does have a short list of schools he's considering and there tends to be a common theme as he tries to figure out where he'll eventually wind up signing with.

“All the schools I'm talking with all have great business schools,” he said. “Second, I just want to feel comfortable. I'm not saying I didn't feel comfortable with USC but I just felt it was that time. I'm just not sure that I want to be in LA.”

The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder will likely play most of his recruitment close to the vest before announcing and one of the key reasons why is the fact that he's trying to orchestrate a few other players to join him at his eventual destination.

“I'm going to tell you this, it's going to be interesting the next couple of weeks for in recruiting,” Payton said. “You're going to see a lot of changes. Just think Fab Five.”

Knowing how the comment would sound, Payton was quick to clarify “like” the Fab Five and that it didn't mean they were for sure headed to Michigan.

EDIT from NDinL.A. - I put it in quotes for you...where is the link? Thanks...

 

[GBdomer]

Says he also wants to check out Florida, Michigan and Notre Dame. Also maybe Oklahoma.

 

[BeauBenken]

Knowing how the comment would sound, Payton was quick to clarify “like” the Fab Five and that it didn't mean they were for sure headed to Michigan.

Yea, yea, yea. I'm smelling Michigan on this one. Just me though. I'm worried what five though. Shittu, Payton, and others...