Chartiers Valley senior is artistry in motion
Lamont Payne is an artist in cleats. An all-state defensive back for the Chartiers Valley Colts, he listens to classical music and excels in his digital art classes in school.
“I feel like its good for my mind. To be creative is relaxing and calming and it helps on the field,” he said.
On the gridiron, Payne indeed is poetry in motion.
Last season, he pulled in 33 receptions for 431 yards and seven scores. He even had the hits on defense, making 22 tackles from his cornerback spot.
“Lamont is gifted. Special,” added Aaron Fitzpatrick.
Before becoming the CV head football coach this spring, Fitzpatrick served as pass coordinator and JV head coach. With the Colts since 2013, he also coaches the track team of which Payne is a member.
“Lamont is athletic. He has great speed and he’s a great technician,” Fitzpatrick said. “He’s extremely humble, but he can motivate and reach anybody. He elevates others. He can raise the bar.”
The bar indeed has been elevated as all eyes will be on Payne this fall. Rivals ranks him as the No. 5 player in the state and No. 222 in the country. Additionally, he is a Penn State recruit.
Payne picked the Nittany Lions over offers from other D1 programs such as Pitt, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Cincinnati.
“I feel (Penn State) is the best fit for me and my family both academically and athletically,” said the prospective special education major. “It fits into my future plans, which is to play in the NFL, and I feel Penn State will get me there.”
Almost 400 Nittany Lions have played in the NFL. After the draft in April, Penn State had 45 players listed on NFL rosters.
Payne almost never had that opportunity. After his initiation into football, he nearly ended up playing in the school orchestra instead.
“My dad started me in football when I was in first grade,” explained the 17-year-son of Lamont Sr. and Shatara Payne. “I got hit too hard. So I stopped playing.”
Instead Payne picked up a trumpet. He tooted that horn until returning to the gridiron in eighth grade.
“I’d like to get back to playing (the trumpet) because I liked it. Right now I’m focused on football though,” Payne said.
During his scholastic years, Payne learned to handled the hits by concentrating on his physique and work ethic. He’s blossomed into a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior that can punish you on both sides of the ball.
Payne trains under Dewayne Brown and has developed working relationships with Southwestern Pennsylvania natives Mike Logan and Aaron Donald.
A McKeesport graduate, Logan played at WVU before enjoying a career in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers. A Penn Hills product, Donald played at Pitt before racking up three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl ring as defensive tackle with the Los Angeles Rams.
“There’s no secret to success,” Payne said. “If you want something, you have to take the initiative and do it. You have to put the hard work in. If you do, then it pays off.”
Payne hopes that his playing both ways produces a playoff spot for the Colts. He embraces the challenge of continuing to play wide receiver although he will be utilized strictly as a D-back at Penn State.
“Wide receiver is fun but I feel defense is where it’s at,” he said. “The mentality you have to have and the way you play the game on defense excites me.
“My goals are to help the team the best way that I can. We want to go to the playoffs.”
Personally, Payne wants to be viewed as the best in state. He has his eye of PIAA player of the year accolades.
“It’s possible. Of course,” he said. “You have to take it day to day, do the little things and not get too overwhelmed.”
That mentality will also enable Payne to succeed at the next level and beyond.
“College is about time management and using your time wisely. Just have structure,” Payne said. “I’m also going to listen to the guys above me who can pave the way for me to the NFL.”
Currently, Payne listens to Fitzpatrick and he has plenty to say about his star performer. Fitzpatrick says that since Payne committed to Penn State a weight has been taken off his shoulders.
“Lamont has time to grind now. He’s the first to get it done. He puts in the effort. While he is best suited and more comfortable on the defensive side, there is glory on both sides of the ball.
“Lamont is well-equipped and mentally prepared to be successful,” Fitzpatrick continued. “With the ability he has, he has a great future ahead of him.”
Age: 17
Birthday: April 4
Parents: Lamont, Sr. and Shatara
Siblings: Nevaeh, 10, Lascionna, 15, Naeima, 5, Ahmena, 3, Aliyah, 1
School: Chartiers Valley
Year: Senior
Sports: Football, track
College choice: Penn State
Major: Special Education
Color: Orange
Food: Nachos
Restaurant: Red Lobster
Music: “All types but Hip Hop is my go to before games.”
Movie: The Goonies
Athlete: LA Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey
Who would play you in a movie: “Denzell Washington. No make that Kevin Hart.”
Dream Destination: Rome. “It’s a beautiful place for art and I’m obsessed with history. I’d love to see the Coliseum.”
People might be surprised to know this about you: “I listen to Classical Music. I know it’s cliche but I like Beethoven best. You can’t go wrong with him.”
Person with whom you would like to have dinner: Malcolm X. “He’s a big inspiration to me.”
Life lesson sports has taught you: “The little things matter.”