TCU wins out for four-star in-state running back Jeremy Payne
Fresh off landing a playmaking running back back from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex on Friday in Nathaniel Palmer, TCU continued its in-state recruiting momentum on Sunday. Four-star Missouri City (Texas) Hightower rusher Jeremy Payne announced his pledge to the Horned Frogs on Father's Day.
Similar to Palmer's recruitment, Horned Frogs running backs coach Anthony Jones and strength coach Kaz Kazadi led the charge for Payne. The relationships built with those two pushed TCU over the top for the Rivals250 prospect.
"TCU felt like home because the coaches kept everything real and honest, and he loves the environment," Payne's father, Aaron Payne, told Rivals.com. "The strength and conditioning coach and running backs coach Jones played a major part in his decision.
"Their main focus is keeping all their players healthy. Above all, the offensive staff made him a priority."
Ranked as the No. 5 all-purpose back in the nation, Payne compiled an impressive offer sheet prior to committing to TCU. Baylor, Michigan State, and Oklahoma were among the programs that had been involved for Payne before the Horned Frogs won out.
Payne has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. As a junior, the four-star accounted for 1,322 yards from scrimmage and 16 total touchdowns as a rusher and receiver in the Greater Houston Area.
Sonny Dykes and TCU prioritized Payne on the trail, which stood out to the family during the recruiting process. The newest TCU pledge felt at home in Ft. Worth and liked the plan that the offensive staff had for him.
"It really wasn’t a pitch," Aaron Payne explained. "The minute that he stepped on campus, I could tell something was different about Jeremy. After coach Jones showed him the ways he would use Jeremy in his offense, that was it."
Rivals ranks Jeremy Payne as the No. 209 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle. He is the No. 5 player at his position and No. 40 recruit in Texas. Payne adds to a TCU class that features four-star quarterback Hauss Hejny and four-star offensive tackle Tobias Steppes.