OLB Patrick Payton [Florida State Commit]

To which school will Payton commit?

  • Total voters
    13
Freak is a term thrown around too much in the sports world but sometimes it's the first phrase that crowds the cranium when a gaudy athletic feat takes place.

What about an entire game's worth of head-turning and gasp?

SI All-American continues a salute to these dominant high school football players in a weekly feature, of course titled 'Freak of the Week.'

High school football is well underway in several states and the wild, almost Fantasy sports-type statistical performances are piling in. FOTW candidates can be dominant in the trenches or beyond the numbers, and this week's winner helps us delve into an entire new category for the honor -- an entire pass rush. 

The Miami (Fla.) Northwestern front, which helped the Bulls kick off the 2020 season Friday night with a win over rival and fellow Florida state champion Miami (Fla.) Central, is the next Freak of the Week. 

Led by senior edge rusher Patrick Payton, a Nebraska commitment, the group tallied double-digit sacks and even combined for a strip-sack fumble returned for a touchdown in the 21-14 win. 

Payton did the honors for the game’s sole defensive score, one of many highlights the group accounted for in what was a consistent punishment against what is considered a rock solid offensive line. The future Husker, who is hearing from additional programs this fall, added 2.5 sacks and a tackle for loss in the win.
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Decked said:
I would be shocked if he signed with us 
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Payton racked up 17.5 sacks as a junior at Miami High. He began his prep career playing some safety before eventually being asked to rush off the edge. While there was a time when it appeared that he was destined to be a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level, there's a chance that he could grow into a more traditional pass-rushing 4-3 defensive end as he's up to 6-foot-5, 210-pounds and has a frame that should allow him to add 25 pounds or more.

Nebraska landed a commitment from Payton back in May, but the Cornhuskers are already having to play some defense. Payton confirmed after he helped hold Miami Palmetto to just 88 yards of total offense in a 17-7 win on Thursday that he continues to hear from the folks at Florida State, but added that nearby Miami's coaching staff also reached out last week.

"They just said that they are going to keep in contact," Payton said of the Hurricanes.

While it might hard to turn down an opportunity to play close to home should Miami push for a flip, Payton maintains that nothing has changed with Nebraska, although it should be noted that he has never visited or toured Lincoln.

Something that will be interesting to track over the next two months is whether or not Payton utilizes the Early Signing Period as he made it seem like he could wait to see if the NCAA decides to once again extend its temporary recruiting period.

"I don't know," Payton said. "I could take some visits if we can take some visits."
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