By: Neil Burnett
The much anticipated commitment from Payton Page finally happened. Page committed to Dabo Swinney and the Tigers in front of a big audience. North Carolina and Tennessee were on his final list of choices.
Page, 6-4 360, is college ready to step in and challenge for playing time. According to ESPN, this outstanding defensive tackle is ranked as the 4th best player at his position in the country in the 2021 class, and the 3rd best player in the state of North Carolina. He ranks right behind Clemson commit Will Shipley and UNC commit Keeshawn Silver.
In his last two years at Dudley High School in Greensboro, NC, Page recorded 151 tackles, 52 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.The word “unblockable” seems to fit this huge defensive tackle.
“We actually gave this guy an elite Power 5 grade as an underclassman. Very nice overall size at this stage with a big frame that can continue to be developed. Needs to improve snap anticipation, but displays good initial burst. Page demonstrates very good strength and can press and control blockers, and flashes ability to maintain pad level and solid point of attack skills. Big man with a good ability and upside.” — Tom Luginbill, National Recruiting Director, CFB Analyst, ESPN.
Clemson only offered two defensive tackles in the 2021 class. The other was KaTron Evans out of Baltimore, MD, who committed to Tennessee. This commitment is huge for the Tigers in more ways than one. Korey Foreman is still in play now that Page has committed to the tigers. Stay tuned. It’s getting crunch time.
