Jake Payne, the 6’6″, 230-pound tight end out of University School of Jackson (USJ) in Jackson, Tennessee, has picked up an offer from the Maryland Terrapins, adding another Power Four program to an already impressive recruiting board.
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Payne, a member of the 2028 class, now holds five Division I offers, joining programs like Mississippi State, Purdue, Memphis, and Austin Peay in pursuit of the young Bruin standout, according to his 247Sports recruiting profile. The Maryland offer stands out as his first from the Big Ten, a significant marker for a player still just a sophomore in high school (247Sports).
At 6’6″ with an 81.5-inch wingspan and 34-inch arms as listed on his own recruiting bio, Payne possesses the frame and length that college coaches covet at the tight end position. He is a two-sport athlete at USJ, also competing on the basketball court for the Bruins, a background that often translates into the kind of body control and hands teams look for in a modern receiving tight end (X).
What makes Payne’s recruitment particularly notable is his age. As a member of the class of 2028, he is drawing Power Four interest years before most prospects even step onto a varsity field full-time, a testament to both his physical tools and his early production at USJ.
With Maryland now in the mix alongside Mississippi State, Purdue, and Memphis, Payne’s recruitment is one worth tracking closely over the next several cycles. Programs across multiple conferences are clearly taking notice of the length, athleticism, and ceiling he brings to the tight end position.
NILvana Sports will continue to monitor Payne’s recruitment as more offers and updates roll in.
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