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ALL-PURPOSE: Hightower's Payne the BMOC in FBISD
What is it that motivates Hightower’s versatile super-star running back, senior Jeremy Payne?
Legacy? College offers? Overall team success? Try all of the above.
After taking over the No. 6 jersey – which once belonged to his older brother Julian in 2022 – Payne intends to turn the number into a legend within Hightower’s storied history.
“Really, he (Julian) taught me a lot… everything he experienced,” said Payne. “He would always come back and tell me so I could get better alongside him. That last year with him, was probably my favorite year thus far. He set a single-season record with six picks, so I’m going to have to set some kind of outstanding record this year. One of my goals is to possibly get the number retired and help our impact serve as an inspiration for the Hightower program and Fort Bend as a whole.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Given that he’s more easily recognized donning a helmet and pads, it might come as a surprise that football wasn’t always Payne’s go-to sport.
“I started off playing baseball,” he said. “Before I emphasized football, I always wanted to be a baseball player since I was a kid. I decided to go the dual-sport route, which is really hard because you don’t really get a break during the year. The upside is I get to stay conditioned the whole year, which really helps to boost my athleticism. However, football is what I like to focus on since it’s more fun and it’s led me to more opportunities.”
With his exceptional performance as Hightower’s all-purpose back, Payne has had “opportunities” aplenty. Considering the numbers he’s put up, paired with his dual-sport nature, it comes as no surprise that the Hurricanes senior ultimately decided to join a Big 12 powerhouse in TCU.
“It means the world to me,” Payne said. “Not many people get an opportunity to play on a D1 scholarship, but that doesn’t mean I’ll become complacent,” he said. “You can’t waste this chance so I just have to keep working hard especially in the classroom because I’ll need the education in the long run.”
2023-24 Hightower FootballJamey Wright (VYPE)
The 2023 Fall season will mark the last time Payne suits up for Hightower. With that in mind, what more does the eventual TCU Horned Frog hope to accomplish as a senior?
“We (the seniors) need to show the young ones character,” he said. “Yes, colleges will find you based on how well you play, but when they send out offers, your character will be what sets you apart. Getting to class on time, showing up at practice on time… we have to teach the younger class that there’s a culture here that will benefit you in the future.”
There is surely more than meets the eye when it comes to Jeremy Payne. Tune in for the spectacle that he and Hightower football intend to showcase this Fall.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2023 FORT BEND ISD FALL DIGITAL MAGAZINE
2022 Preseason All-VYPE Public School Football Team Announced
The 2022 Texas high school football season is upon us as the first games kickoff on Thursday.
The VYPE Editorial staff has scoured the best of the best in Houston and have named our preseason All-VYPE team for public school offense and defense. Here is the 2022 team.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Seth Davis, RB, Katy
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Kaleb Bailey, North Shore
Ja’Koby Banks, Fort Bend Marshall
DJ Lagway, Willis
Mabrey Mettauer, The Woodlands
RUNNING BACKS
Lloyd Avant, Summer Creek
Rueben Owens II, El Campo
Jeremy Payne, Hightower
Kedrick Reescano, New Caney
WIDE RECEIVERS
David Amador, North Shore
Jaquaize Pettaway, Langham Creek
Louis Williams III, Conroe
Jonah Wilson, Dekaney
TIGHT ENDS
Ian Flynt, Katy Taylor
Hawkins Polley, Stratford
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jacob Egg, Katy
Nick Fattig, Clear Springs
Ashton Funk, Tompkins
Nicolas Lira, Paetow
Hudson Perroni, Stratford
KICKER
Jake Kilander, Katy
Jordan Ian Ratliff, Atascocita
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Zion Brown, Atascocita
Cyrin Miles, Crosby
Nash Rankin, Stratford
Gavin Rutherford, Cinco Ranch
RUNNING BACKS
Chase Devaughn, Houston Madison
Rashon Estes, Jersey Village
Parker Jenkins, Klein Forest
Ezell Jolly, Ridge Point
WIDE RECEIVERS
Zion Kearney, Hightower
Ryan Niblett, Eisenhower
Seth Salverino, Cinco Ranch
Jelani Watkins, Klein Forest
TIGHT ENDS
Chico Holt, Strake Jesuit
Reid Mikeska, Bridgeland
OFFENSIVE LINE
Reagan Gill, Jersey Village
Blake Ivy, Clear Springs
Dramodd Odoms, Houston Lamar
Gibson Pyle, Klein Cain
Cobe Williams, College Park
KICKER
Walter Kilgore, Clear Lake
Justin Willis, The Woodlands
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Maurice Williams, DB, Shadow Creek
FIRST TEAM
DEFENSIVE LINE
Terrance Green, Cypress Woods
David Hicks Jr., Paetow
Braylan Shelby, Friendswood
Samu Taumanupepe, Atascocita
LINEBACKERS
Corey Kelly, Clear Falls
Alex Kilgore, Paetow
Daymion Sanford, Paetow
James Walley, Ridge Point
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jayven Anderson, North Shore
Taylor Davis, Ridge Point
Vernon Glover Jr., Dickinson
Tay’Shawn Wilson, Mayde Creek
SECOND TEAM
DEFENSIVE LINE
DK Kalu, Ridge Point
Ashton Porter, Cypress Ranch
Dylan Spencer, CE King
Loghan Thomas, Katy Paetow
LINEBACKERS
Christian Brathwaite, Cypress Ranch
Dakyius Brinkley, Seven Lakes
Justin Cryer, Brookshire Royal
Justin Williams, Oak Ridge
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jacoby Davis, North Shore
Cory Huff Jr., Nimitz
Demari Maxson, Clear Lake
Michael Patterson, Marshall