Promising LB Prospect Rising from HS to College Gridiron
Chris Payne, a 5-11, 215-pound 2-star safety/linebacker from 247Sports, flashed disruptive potential in the 2025-26 HS season at Hawkins Hawks with 3.0 sacks (0.6 per game) and 2 fumble recoveries, outpacing national averages, before transitioning to Lake Erie College where he started 4 games, racked up 35 tackles including a TFL and a PBU, peaking at 6 stops vs. Kentucky. His compact build, tackling intensity, and pass-rush instincts make him a gritty, high-motor fit for versatile defenses—watch this under-the-radar Red Raider commit develop into a special teams spark or rotational LB.
