The commitments keep rolling in for the Huskers.
Nebraska got more good news on the recruiting trail when JUCO defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne committed to the team.
DE: Pheldarius Payne
[ @Pheldarius ]
𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦#GBRXX ☠️ #TheGoodLife pic.twitter.com/RdLc0TbtD4
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) December 19, 2019
Payne told Hail Varsity ahead of his public commitment that the Huskers’ tradition and what is building in Lincoln were the two big reasons for him becoming a Husker.
There was something afoot when Payne announced that he was leaving North Carolina State class on Monday. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive end visited the Wolfpack over the weekend but opened things up after returning home. Payne did take an official visit to Nebraska the weekend of Dec. 6. He told Hail Varsity after that visit he really enjoyed the trip.
“I would say it went good,” Payne said. “Talking to the coaches, the facilities, the players, the people that go to the school and the food . . . everything was just amazing.”
Payne spent most of his time with defensive line coach Tony Tuioti who explained to him how the Huskers would use him in their defense.
“Everywhere on the defense line except nose,” he said. “All types of shades and I can play all three downs.”
After that weekend, Payne shared that the deciding factor in his college choice would be that official visit weekend to Nebraska. Originally from Suffolk, Virginia, Payne is the first JUCO defensive lineman in the class. He is the third overall defensive lineman joining Nash Hutmacher and Marquis Black.
Payne tallied 30 tackles, 12 TFLs and four sacks this season. He graduates in May and has three years to play two seasons, so he has a redshirt year to use if needed.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7499316/5da79e128cd4470f205dabcc
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
