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Recruiting is the lifeblood of any major college athletics team, but following it closely as a fan can sometimes be difficult and can often be time consuming. We’ll try and condense all the recruiting news you can use into this bi-weekly (or more often since we are in Uncertain Times and there aren’t actual sports going on) post. It’ll include updates on current commits, including stats from their high school games, as well as news on players the Badgers are still pursuing. Let’s get down to business!
New offer
- 2022 4-star (247 and Rivals standalones) RB Gi’Bran Payne (Cincinnati, Ohio) out of LaSalle High School was the fifth, and I think final, running back to receive an offer from John Settle and the Wisconsin Badgers on Friday. Payne has 19 offers, according to Rivals, including Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern, Nebraska, Purdue and Pitt. Basically the whole B1G has offered this kid.
BLESSED to receive an offer from the University of Wisconsin.❤️ #AGTG @Coachjset23 @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/PTAuKFCcQp
— Gi’Bran Payne (@upnexxt03) May 15, 2020
Payne is 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds and is rated as the No. 206 player in the country, the No. 24 RB in the country and the No. 7 player in the state of Ohio by 247 Sports. Here’s what Cincinnati.com had to say about Payne:
In 2019, Payne was a second-team Greater Catholic League-South and all-district selection. The sophomore ran for 790 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging over 10 yards per carry. He also found the end zone on three of his eight catches, finishing with 141 receiving yards. Payne had three 100-yard rushing performances, including two in the postseason.
Payne ran 14 times for 129 yards and a score in La Salle’s 34-17 win over Massillon Washington in the Division II state title game.
He is a tough interior runner that isn’t even phased by arm tackle attempts and he’s also able to change direction quickly and use his speed to outrun defenders.
One has to wonder what would happen if Ohio State came calling for the in-state prospect, but for now the Badgers are probably right in the thick of things with Payne due to their running back tradition.