Good vibes for Jordan Payton

Submitted by Brian on

Hi, it's me, putting on my TomVH/Ace hat.

Got a tip from someone close to Jordan Payton that he is "thinking about committing to M" and that the only realistic competition at this point is Oklahoma. Not certain, but if I had to guess I'd say he ends up in a winged helmet. This does not qualify as surprising news--premium sites have had M in the lead for Payton for a while--but it is independent confirmation.

/hat removal

Pea-Tear Gryphon

September 22nd, 2011 at 10:57 PM ^

That is awesome news. Now on the flip side, there have been some pretty good sources saying that we've cooled on O'Brien and he is all but assuredly choosing Tennessee on the 6th. I guess that means we have room for Darboh too?

Pea-Tear Gryphon

September 22nd, 2011 at 11:07 PM ^

Mostly just stuff I hear around the interwebz from insiderz and stuff. I'm not trying to fan and rumor flames or anything, just thought I'd pose a recruiting question in a recruiting themed thread as opposed to starting something new. We'll all find out for sure with regards to O'Brien in a couple of weeks. I find it odd that we'd take a pass on a player at a position of need, but I'm not our coaches. 

WolvinLA2

September 22nd, 2011 at 11:47 PM ^

I agree with you, Jasan Avant is one of the most underrated receivers we've ever had.  He had to share the spotlight with a few other future NFL WRs while he was here, so he often doesn't get the credit he deserves. 

And I'm not saying Payton will be as good as Avant, but he could be.  He's just more of that kind of player.

turd ferguson

September 22nd, 2011 at 11:14 PM ^

Rivals: Payton #18 WR, Burbridge #20 WR

Scout: Payton #12 WR, Burbridge #16 WR

24/7: Payton #26 WR, Burbridge #8 WR

ESPN: Payton #25 WR, Burbridge #38 WR

They're both excellent prospect (4 stars on all sites), and Payton seems to have fewer academic questions.  Be happy if this happens.

 

WolvinLA2

September 22nd, 2011 at 11:52 PM ^

It looks to be cleared up now, but Burbridge went right from "iffy grades" to "committed" with a whole lot of "probably won't leave the state" in there as well.  If Burbridge had waited on his commitment, not had grade issues, and shown more interest in schools across the country, he may have picked up more of the big national names outside the midwest.

That said, their offer lists aren't even that different.  They both have UM and ND, so that's a wash. Payton has USC, Burbridge has OSU, that's a wash.  Payton has a couple more elite offers, but if you're able to get the cream of the crop from your region, and Burbridge has, offer lists are hard to compare.  For example - if one recruit had offers from Florida, Florida State and Alabama, and another recruit had Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Oklahoma and Michigan, are they really that different? 

iCarly fan club

September 23rd, 2011 at 11:41 AM ^

I thought there were people on here "in the know" who were skeptical of Payton. Someone had said he was given his high ranking and offers based on his performance as a freshman and that he hadn't developed as well as people expected him to. I know lots of people here were a lot higher on Darboh and the other WR targets.

WolvinLA2

September 23rd, 2011 at 12:18 PM ^

I don't know if I'm "in the know" but there is truth to both of your statements.  I am higher on Darboh than Payton, and Payton has been underperforming based on what was expected of him as a freshman.  That said, it's not enough to not be excited about his commitment. 

After Payton's freshman and soph years, people thought he'd be a top-5 receiver nationally, and a top 30-50 player overall.  Instead, he's a top 15-20 receiver nationally and a top 150ish player overall.  Yes, that's below where people thought he'd be as a senior.  But it's still a very good player we'd be happy with.

iCarly fan club

September 24th, 2011 at 2:15 AM ^

That's good to hear.  We do need some big posession receivers and I'm so in favor of us bringing in Payton and the Darboh.  Although I would rather have another DT cuz DTs need a year to just eat and lift while WRs can just step in right away.  If you need evidence of this flash back to the '05 PSU team where 4 true frosh stepped in at WR and torched everyone in the Big Ten except UM.  Well I just got back from the Blue Lep and I'm drunk so forgive my ignorance but i gotta get up at 9:30 to meet some friends at Peirpont at 10:30.  Hope we get there on time.  GOOO BLUUUUUEEEEE YAAAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Sac Fly

September 22nd, 2011 at 11:23 PM ^

And I havent seen very much film on either but it's very hard to compare these two players. Rivals has payton listed at 6'2, 199 with 4.49 speed and other sites have listed his hands as a major strength, he is a possession receiver at the next level. Burbridge is the exact opposite of that, he is smaller in height and weight and is faster, making him a downfield target at the next level. If I had to choose it would be difficult, but I would lean towards payton because of burbridge's grade issues.

Tyang

September 23rd, 2011 at 12:02 AM ^

paytons probably more tested than burbridge since he's playing in California, competition level is higher. payton seems like a braylon Edwards, he'll be a great route runner with good hands who will go up and get it. where as burbridge is like a desmond fast and explosive. they both would be great to have, but I like payton. he's fast enough, and has the size, o hope he's like a micheal Floyd if he commits to us.