JUCO DE Talks Houston Offer

Senatobia (MS) Northwest Mississippi Community College defensive end Tarues Payne picked up another offer on the recruiting trail putting his total at three offers. The under the radar prospect picked up his latest offer from the Houston Cougars who joined Kentucky and UCF as schools pursuing the JUCO product.

"I’m extremely blessed to catch the eyes of the coaching staff and even more blessed to pick up an offer to continue my education and playing career," Payne told Cougars Den.

The Houston coaching staff has been trying to convince the JUCO product that Houston is the perfect fit for his services.

"I’ve been talking to coach Pope and coach Blum both about the same," the 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end said. "They both have convinced me that the program wants me, and that I’d be a good fit."

Payne is on track to be a December graduate and says he's taking the recruiting process one day at a time.

While the under the radar prospect might be taking things slowly, he says he knows exactly what he wants to find in a program at the next level.

"I’m looking for a place I can come in and play immediately," he said. "I’m looking to have an immediate impact on the program I decide to commit myself to. I study teams depth charts and recruiting to see where I would stand as far as me coming in as a transfer and getting play time."

While Houston has continued to add talent along their defensive line, Payne would have the opportunity to play early for the Cougars and as an expected December graduate it's expected that he'll be able to participate in spring workouts for whichever program he decides to sign with.

Payne continued to say how he's taking the process slowly and didn't indicate any particular time frame for when he would like to have his decision made. However with Houston being his third offer, you would have to assume that the Cougars will get a serious look from the Mississippi standout.