Elite OT Payton Kirkland Talks Early Recruitment, His Game, and More

2023 Orlando (Fla.) offensive tackle Payton Kirkland holds over 40 offers to play college. The 6-7, 315 pounds athlete has continued to pick up offers this winter, and he discusses navigating the process and more here. 

"Well, firstly, I just make sure I remain humble and give God all the glory." Kirkland said on the process. His head coach at Dr.Phillips in Orlando helps him in communicating with schools, as offers and interest in him as a player continues to pour in. 

With 40 offers on the table, it is tough for Kirkland to hone in on a few relationships that standout the most.  "I think it's too early to say. I got a lot of coaches that I've talked to, and I don't think I have any relationship that sticks out more than any other," he said.

 One thing that is for certain is colleges coaches from across the country like what they have saw from Kirkland on the field. "They've told me that they like my athleticism, the tenacity I play with, that I'm smart when I play on the field, and my footwork," he said. 

Even for someone with 40 offers, Kirkland knows there is always room to grow his game. "My hip mobility and weight control," he said on what he thinks he need to improve over time. 

The massive offensive tackle exhibits athleticism and power in space, which is something he believes he excels at. "Finishing. I think I finish blocks the best," he said about the best part of his game. 

That athleticism and ability to be powerful at the second level is one of the major reasons Tennessee's new offensive staff quickly extended an offer once they arrived in Knoxville. 

"The conversation was pretty smooth. I've talked with Coach Golesh before when he was at UCF. He told me he was going to prioritize me for the 2023 class, and they are trying to build something special in Knoxville," Kirkland recalled of the conversation with Golesh about his offer to come to Tennessee. 

Much like any young football player, as Kirkland ascended the ranks, there were some offers that he waited for along the way. "I would say Florida State and Ohio State were some offers I really liked because those are like kind of my childhood favorite teams growing up," he said. 

With so many offers already on the table, and his phone likely to ring non-stop once coaches can initiate communication, Kirkland knows what he wants to get out of the process. 

"I just want to make the right decision. I want to make a 40-year decision, not a three to four-year decision," he said. On the timeline part, I'm not really sure when I'll commit. Let's just say its safe to say National Signing Day, probably."

"I plan to major in civil engineer. Post my athletic career, I would like to coach. I am really looking for somewhere that is going to guide me to push myself beyond my limitations," he said on what he is looking for in a school. "A family environment and setting me up to go to the league in three to four years."

"They are getting a better man than they are a player. I'm a man of God," Kirkland said on whatever school he attends will be gaining. "I'm always going to put him before everything, and I'll give them 125% effort, no matter where it's at academically, on the field, and I am going to be a leader at all times."