IU kept the 4-star train rolling in the class of 2022 on Monday, and new running backs coach Deland McCullough is once again at the center of the action.
La Salle High School (Cincinnati, Ohio) 4-star running back Gi’Bran Payne announced he has verbally committed to Indiana.
Payne made the announcement on his Twitter page.
boom. @coachdmc @Hayesfawcett3 🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/XHjQQIXZj8
— Gi’Bran Payne🧸 (@upnexxt03) July 26, 2021
The 5-foot-10 and 190 pound Payne is the No. 246 overall player in the class of 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite. He is the No. 24 running back in the class according to that same service.
Payne lost most of his junior season due to a high ankle sprain. As a sophomore in 2019 he rushed 77 times for 790 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, nine rushing, three receiving, and one interception return.
247Sports’ national analyst Allen Trieu gave this scouting assessment of Payne in May:
“One cut and go back with good acceleration and has shown he can hit the home run against good competition. Would not classify as a big back, but is compact with a good muscle base as he heads into college. Prefers to hit the crease and go but when he needs to get creative, he shows some elusiveness and wiggle. Solid pass catcher. Can still get faster in the top end. Has dealt with some injuries and also has split carries at other times in his career so there is less to go on with him than with other highly ranked national running back prospects.”
Payne had named a top five of Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Northwestern and Penn State in February, but Indiana hired McCullough around that same time and was able to get involved late and land the high profile prospect.
The 14th commit in Indiana’s 2022 class, Payne is the fourth 4-star and sixth top-400 player. IU’s 2022 class is now ranked No. 18 nationally according to the 247Sports Composite. To see the complete 2022 class, GO HERE.
See also: Home-run threat Gi’Bran Payne decided ‘IU was home’
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