<a href="https://www.on3.com/high-school/gainesville-gainesville-ga-10835/">Gainesville</a> (Ga.) four-star offensive tackle <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/alex-payne-176740/">Alex Payne</a> committed to <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/mack-brown-133545/">Mack Brown</a> and <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/north-carolina-tar-heels/">North Carolina</a> 11 months ago. That commitment looked solid until a visit to <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/usc-trojans/">USC</a> last weekend. The Trojans impressed the No. in the On3 Industry Ranking and his family on the trip to Los Angeles. 



After returning home to think on things for a few days, Payne has decided to flip his commitment from the Tar Heels to the Trojans. 



“I’m headed west,” Payne told On3. “At first I thought, no way, that’s too far away from home. But the more I talked with the coaches through FaceTime conversations almost daily and really getting to know them, I could start seeing myself playing for those guys.



“Last weekend, when the opportunity for an official visit came up, we said as a family, we can’t worry about the distance because something great may be meant for me out there. So we made the trip and I’m glad we did or I would have never known what was in Southern California waiting on me.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-payne-sees-great-opportunities-at-usc">Payne sees great opportunities at USC</h2>



Since USC offered about a month ago, there has been constant communication. It was never a regular phone call, but over FaceTime so it gave them a better chance to connect. That combine with the official visit led to Payne’s decision to flip his commitment from the ACC to Big Ten. 



“They made me feel like a high priority for them and they were determined to make sure I felt that. The official visit then made all the difference… getting to know the staff and the rest of the personnel on campus and seeing the campus itself was one of the biggest factors.



“The education aspect of a USC degree was big too. My instant connection with the coaches was another season I picked them. The USC football legacy speaks for itself and to be asked to become a part of that is huge for me.



“There are so many opportunities surrounding the campus outside of football since it’s in LA. too”



Payne is the No. 162 prospect in the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-player/football/2025/">On3 Industry Ranking</a> and he is an early graduate who plans to sign on Dec. 4 before reporting in January. 5.

Alex Payne USC

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4-star OT Alex Payne flips commitment from North Carolina to USC

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