“Football is going well,” Keith Payne said. “We’re looking pretty solid. A lot of talent on the team. We’re working as a whole, using a lot of guys.” With solid linebackers and an impressive offensive backfield, Payne believes Oakton can have a good 2005 season.
It all gets started for Payne next Tuesday when Oakton scrimmages Hayfield. Oakton’s first regular season game is against Madison, a team they defeated 24-0 a year ago.
Although Payne believes Oakton will be good this season, he also believes that his play will be improved as well. “I’m doing just fine this year,” he noted. “I’m in shape because I worked out all summer. My maturity in game situations [is better,”] Payne said. “Me being a senior now, I know what it takes to win a game and it all starts from the beginning of the game.”
As his senior year approaches, the months leading up to signing day dwindle as well and the 6’3, 215-pound prospect is still holding with one offer, a grant-in-aid from Virginia Tech. Don’t expect Tech to be his only offer, however. “I have a lot of people saying they are going to offer me once I get my ACT score,” Payne noted.
With that in mind, Payne has already selected four schools that he would like to visit officially. The Oakton High School product would like to visit Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Clemson before making a final decision.
Although those visits will play a large part in his final decision, one of the biggest factors in his decision may be the position he is recruited at for each school. “Most of the schools that are trying to offer me want me at running back, but a couple are looking at me at linebacker,” Payne said. Payne noted that he prefers to play running back at the next level. “Running back, definitely,” Payne said. “That’s definitely where I want to play.”