Charlie Payton '23 Recruiting Profile

I am passionate about the game of football and being part of a team.  I worked really hard to become a starting RB at St. Thomas More my junior season and achieved 2nd team all district, while splitting time with a senior RB.   I led the team with 786 rushing yards and 6.96 yards per carry.  I had 1100 total yards and 13 TDs which included 103 receiving yards and 211 kick off return yards.  I gave up baseball last year, a sport i have played and excelled at since I was 8 years old, to focus solely on becoming a better football player.   I ran track and worked locally with Deuce Wallace to improve my speed, shiftiness, and footwork.  In track, I ran the 100m, 200m, 4x100, and 4x200m.  I was named the 2022 Outstanding Track Performer in the Doug Stewart Rebel Relays winning the 100m and placing 2nd in the 200m.   I worked hard in the gym adding 20 lbs of muscle and greatly increased my strength, which has already translated into becoming a better pass blocker.  In August 2022, I was the 2nd strongest on the team having a combined bench, squat, and clean of 1135 pounds and I ran a 4.45 in the 40 yard dash which was the 2nd fastest on the team.  I was just named by the Daily Advocate (our local newspaper) for 2022 as one of the Top 20 running backs  in Acadiana, a 9 parish (county) area.  I am most proud however, that I was just voted by my peers to be on the STM Football Leadership Council for this season.  Through my junior year, I have a 3.17 GPA while always playing 2 sports and doing work at our hunting property in MS.  I am confident that I will make a strong contribution both on and off the field at my future college.