Notre Dame football: What does RB Gi’Bran Payne bring to the Irish?
By Carlee North
![Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a gold Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a gold Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/75fbd0d7e0d7e5db8ed7dd3919a01f6374ccf1173a21f4f05249ad66fce44c65.jpg)
The Notre Dame football team continues to stack talent for their 2022 recruiting class, this time adding an elite running back in Gi’Bran Payne.
Gi’Bran Payne, a running back out of Ohio committed and signed with Indiana just a few months ago, but a lot changed when former Indiana running back coach Deland McCullough left to become the Notre Dame football team’s running backs coach. He asked to be released for his NLI, which was granted and has been exploring his options, visiting Kentucky last weekend and South Bend just this past weekend.
It was clear that if Notre Dame and McCullough wanted him and had room he was going to be Irish. That officially was announced today when Payne committed publicly to the Irish. The relationship with the new Notre Dame staff is outstanding and it even goes back to Freeman’s days at Cincinnati when he was recruited by the Bearcats as well. That strong bond was always going to be nearly impossible to beat and it became clear he would be in blue and gold soon enough. That’s a reality now for Ohio native Gi’Bran Payne.
The Irish had offered Payne last cycle as well so they aren’t foreign to his game and ability. Payne carried offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern among others.
What will Payne bring to the Notre Dame football team?
The 5’10 190-pound running back is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He has really good quickness to go along with the ability to make you miss. Very shifty in the backfield and someone that’ll usually make the first man miss.
When you think of someone with speed and shiftiness you don’t lump in strength and a willingness to take a hit. Payne isn’t afraid to take a hit and he’s getting stronger in his lower body especially. He’s someone that excels with the ball in his hands no matter where he is on the field.
Payne will be joining a very talented backfield in South Bend with Chris Tyree and Logan Diggs leading the way, along with power-back Audric Estime and true freshman Jadarian Price. The 2023 recruiting class also has one running back commit from Sedrick Irvin and are looking to have a duo in this class.