Does ASU land commit No. 2

It seems the Cat is out of the bag. The word on the street is cornerback/wide receiver Jeremy Payton (6-2, 180, 4.5) from West Covina (Calif.) South Hills has made his pledge. Rivals were told while we were in attendance that Payton would be heading to ASU. The same sources that told Rivals about the now confirmed Sun Devil pledge of Nate Kimbrough is the same source for Payton.

The word was that Payton was going to make his announcement this week possibly as early as tomorrow. If this word ends p being fact then this means the Payton twins will go their separate ways in college.

Jeremy’s brother Bryan Payton (6-2, 185, 4.47) committed to UCLA on junior day.

Jeremy Payton did not get an offer that day from UCLA and he dedicated himself to get ready for his senior season to show colleges what he was made of and he participated at the prestigious Beyond 2000 Elite camp where some of the West’s best players compete against one another.

Both Ron Allen and Henry Bell of Beyond 2000 heaped praise on Payton. Both agreed that Payton is very versatile and that he was a hard worker. Allen and Bell concurred that Payton was very coachable and he would do whatever was asked of him.

Payton stood out on both sides of the ball at the Beyond 2000 Elite Camp.

Oregon State was first to offer but Payton will commit to ASU.

Payton was selected all-state (underclassman), all-area and all-league for his junior season performance.

Payton’s stats were almost identical to his twin brother Bryan’s stats. Though Jeremy didn’t lead the state in picks like brother Bryan (11 picks), he did rack up 34 tackles and had eight interceptions from his cornerback position in 2002. Jeremy, like his brother, also plays wide receiver. He had 25 receptions for 486 yards for an average of 19.2 yards per catch and six touchdowns. Jeremy had 23 carries for 127 yards on the ground.

Athleticism is the calling card Jeremy Payton. In an earlier interview with Rivals.com South Hills head coach Steve Bogan said had this to say about Payton, “To give you an idea on how athletic Jeremy is he never participated in the triple jump before and the track coach asked him to come out and try it. He recorded a 42’6’’ triple jump at his first time he tried it and I think he won the event.”

Payton is a big physical corner who loves to mix it up. “Like Bryan, Jeremy will punch you in the mouth,” Bogan said. “They both can really bring it and like to mix it up.”

As soon as Rivals gets confirmation we will inform you.