SacFalcFan Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 LOL.. Columbia (S.C.) safety Chris Payne surprised many South Carolina fans when he and teammate Damario Jeffery committed to Clemson after attending their junior day on Saturday. Although the Tigers are currently the team to beat, Payne is keeping an open mind and still considers the Gamecocks in the mix for his services."Me and Demario committed to Clemson this weekend, but we're open," Payne said. "We're still open-minded. Their academic facilities and everything around them and how it's a small town and you could stay out of trouble (influenced me)."I know I could stay out of trouble by myself, but you could really get away from trouble (at Clemson). They (coaches) were just telling us that they have people leaving, and we could play for a starting position."South Carolina recruiting coordinator and quarterbacks coach David Reaves was perhaps the most surprised of all when he heard the news, and he met with Payne this morning to discuss his decision."He (Coach Reaves) said how he couldn't sleep last night," said Payne. "I really sat down and listened to what he was saying. He asked why we committed to them (Clemson) so early and stuff like that. I think we just got so wowed about the whole situation (at Clemson) that we committed, and that's what I think happened."The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Payne also caught his family off guard with his commitment."They said it was good, but then again they said that I should have waited because they know I love South Carolina," he said.According to Payne, three factors will determine where South Carolina will finish in the race for his signature come signing day 2009."Put it this way, I'm not even talking about other schools," he said. "I'm talking about South Carolina. For South Carolina to have me, this is what I'm saying: the academics, the coaches have to be cool, and they've got to beat Georgia."Payne offered his current assessment of those three issues."Academics, they're progressing," he said. "That's the only downfall I had about them, the academic facilities and stuff. "Now, I see they're really on top of it. They're building a $20 million facility. That says it all. I'm looking to major in business, and South Carolina's got one of the top business schools.""Coaches, they've always been cool with me," he said. "They've been loving me since I was in ninth grade. I've been coming to their games. I just love Carolina. It was just a rushing decision (committing to Clemson).""Beating Georgia, it shows me that they can really compete," Payne said. "Georgia is supposed to be ranked No. 2 in the nation, probably No. 1. If they beat them then they're going to have momentum to beat another couple of teams. I really think they're going to have a good season, and that's going to be a big factor."With nearly a year to go until signing day '09, Payne plans to evaluate his recent decision more closely."My true feeling is that I'm still open," he said. "I'm committed to Clemson as of right now. I like everything about South Carolina. Now that I'm seeing they're really about to get this (academic) facility and that they've really put their time into doing it, I'm really liking what they're doing." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clemumo82 Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 LOL, Reaves must not get much sleep often then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacFalcFan Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 clemumo82 (2/24/2008)LOL, Reaves must not get much sleep often then.lol.. yeah i don't think he gets much sleep for the next 8 months. i hope sc has a big day for recruits in columbia for the uga/sc game.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamecocknfire Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Did it last year, can do it again this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacFalcFan Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 gamecocknfire (2/24/2008)Did it last year, can do it again this year.What happened the 5 years before that? :P:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xnex Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 SacFalcFan (2/24/2008)gamecocknfire (2/24/2008)Did it last year, can do it again this year.What happened the 5 years before that? :P:DAre you saying that to us or is a Gator fan saying it to you? I'll bet you feel fairly hopeful/confident that UGA will beat the Gators this coming season and they've been pretty tough on you guys over the last two decades. Would you feel the same level of confidence if Georgia hadn't beaten Florida last year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikibar Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 They had no problem doing it last year on the road. UGA had better not produce another stinker or those guys will make good on their demand; after all, it is on their home turf. It's interesting that this got published though - can't believe there's bulletin board material this early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacFalcFan Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 xnex (2/25/2008)SacFalcFan (2/24/2008)gamecocknfire (2/24/2008)Did it last year, can do it again this year.What happened the 5 years before that? :P:DAre you saying that to us or is a Gator fan saying it to you? I'll bet you feel fairly hopeful/confident that UGA will beat the Gators this coming season and they've been pretty tough on you guys over the last two decades. Would you feel the same level of confidence if Georgia hadn't beaten Florida last year?Well since uga and uf are 2 and 2 in the last 4 you gotta go beyond that. No I think it was clear I was talking to a south carolina fan. Maybe you missed the comment.. LOL No I am not confident we will beat UF this coming season. I am never confident of that since it's a rivalry game and considering our last 10 years of playing them. However to say "we beat you 1 time out of 6 seasons and we will do it again." is ridiculous. So again my question remains, what happened the previous 5 seasons? What football wise says you will win this coming season? Saying you won last year doesn't mean you will win this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xnex Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 SacFalcFan (2/25/2008)xnex (2/25/2008)SacFalcFan (2/24/2008)gamecocknfire (2/24/2008)Did it last year, can do it again this year.What happened the 5 years before that? :P:DAre you saying that to us or is a Gator fan saying it to you? I'll bet you feel fairly hopeful/confident that UGA will beat the Gators this coming season and they've been pretty tough on you guys over the last two decades. Would you feel the same level of confidence if Georgia hadn't beaten Florida last year?Well since uga and uf are 2 and 2 in the last 4 you gotta go beyond that. No I think it was clear I was talking to a south carolina fan. Maybe you missed the comment.. LOL No I am not confident we will beat UF this coming season. I am never confident of that since it's a rivalry game and considering our last 10 years of playing them. However to say "we beat you 1 time out of 6 seasons and we will do it again." is ridiculous. So again my question remains, what happened the previous 5 seasons? What football wise says you will win this coming season? Saying you won last year doesn't mean you will win this year.That's true, but what happened in the previous years doesn't dictate that it will happen next season. Hey I admit that SC has been a middle of the road team for the entire time we've been here. But over the last 3 years or so we've been able to beat each of the big three in the east. So maybe we will get over the hump and beat 2 out of 3 this year. UGA is historically 10 times the program that SC is, but if things are going to change they have to start the process at some point. I'll be happy to wait and see what happens. As far as us having to beat UGA in order to get those recruits, I don't really buy that. Kids change their minds several times a day and there's a long way to go before signing day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statick Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 gobige (2/25/2008)They had no problem doing it last year on the road. UGA had better not produce another stinker or those guys will make good on their demand; after all, it is on their home turf. It's interesting that this got published though - can't believe there's bulletin board material this early.I'm glad their is!Thanks, USC! Looking forward to beating you! :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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