KNOXVILLE—The Vols picked up another huge commitment Wednesday morning when 4-star defensive back D’Andre Payne announced his intentions to be a Vol on Twitter. Tennessee continues to have serious momentum on the recruiting trail and the 2014 class now ranks 5th per Rivals and 6th according to 247Sports.

“I just fell in love with the program. Coach Jones, he is doing some good things, and he’s got some good things in store for the next couple years. It’s about to happen,” Payne said.

Here’s basic info and analysis on Payne including video highlights. We also added him to our 2014 Commitments page.

D’Andre Payne

4-star 247Sports, Rivals, Scout
5-10, 172 pounds, Cornerback
Washington, DC (Friendship Academy)

After a visit to campus the weekend of March 15th, Payne identified the Vols as the clear leaders to sign him. He made his commitment official via Twitter Wednesday morning and in doing so became the seventh member of the 2014 class. He said Vol linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen stayed in touch with him daily since taking a position at UT and credited that relationship as a huge factor in his decision to be a Vol. Payne is rated as a consensus 4-star prospect and considered as the No. 16 cornerback in the nation per 247Sports. He has offers from from LSU, Clemson, Ohio State, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, and others. Payne has the skills to thrive in both zone and man schemes, has shown good instincts in the secondary, is physical for a DB of his size, and also plays receiver.