Payne Picks VT
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It's no definite where L.C. Bird (Va.) athlete Shawn Payne will play on the field, but at least he knows where he'll be playing at the next level.
Just a few weeks after getting an offer, Bird made the call tonight. He committed to Virginia Tech, becoming the Hokies' 11th commitment for the 2014 class.
"I really like Virginia Tech and I really wanted to go to Tech since I was in elementary school," Payne said. "For them to offer me, I was really excited and the first thing I told my mom when they offered was that I was excited. I feel comfortable with the coaching staff and the atmosphere up there, so I made the decision to commit."
Payne chose Virginia Tech over an offer from Charlotte. He also had interest from Maryland and Old Dominion.
Payne really proved himself at the Hokies' June 2 camp. He picked up an offer days afterward, when the staff also saw his film.
A two-way player, Payne plays defensive back and wide receiver. He said the Virginia Tech staff, mostly assistants Shane Beamer and Torrian Gray both told him he'd play either cornerback or wide receiver, whichever is the greatest need for the Hokies.
"The biggest thing they were trying to do was get me to come down there and commit," Payne said. "I did that, so I go step by step and see where I best fit in."
Now that he's trying to figure out his position, Payne said he likely won't be looking further at other schools. But he's also not ruling it out.
"It's a relief because I feel like all the pressure's off of me," he said. "Now I can settle down, get ready for my last year of high school football. I can perform my greatest without college coaches coming up to me and asking me questions and all that. I feel comfortable where I'm at right now, committing to Tech. Unless it's a school bigger than Tech, I'm not taking a visit. But I doubt it, anyway."