Houston DL has pedigree
Klein Forest defensive end Kendrick Payne is cut from the same cloths as Eagle alumns McCollins Umeh and KaMichael Hall of Georgia Tech.
Payne (6-3, 250 pounds) is emerging as one of Houston's top defensive linemen for 2008.
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The nephew of former LSU Tiger Harvey Williams, Payne has football lineage. He is also first cousins with Hempstead's Terrance Toliver.
"I knew Kendrick went down to Klein Forest and I almost did too a few years ago," Toliver said. "He can play and he has good grades. He's got a younger brother there who can play also. Watch out for them."
Payne will be an all-district selection this season after terrorizing opposing offensive lines.
"He's a total package on the line," Klein Forest coach Ken Hammack said. "He has grades, he's got the size and the motor to be a major Division I talent."
Payne favors Florida State and Texas early, but is open to other suitors.
"I've always thought about playing college football since I was playing little league," he said. "Now my time has come."