GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

Paye commits to No. 2 Michigan

By Matt Metcalf
Posted 10/27/16

Growing up, Kwity Paye heard often that playing Division I football may be out of reach for him. That only made the now 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive force work harder throughout the years. I feel like I always knew I could"

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GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

Paye commits to No. 2 Michigan

Posted

Growing up, Kwity Paye heard often that playing Division I football may be out of reach for him.

That only made the now 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive force work harder throughout the years.

“I feel like I always knew I could do it, but the people around me telling me I couldn’t do it really pushed me to work harder,” Paye said of his ability to play at a top Division I program. “Growing up, I just had that work ethic. My mom raised me a certain way, that if you want something, you have to go out and fight for it.”

That work ethic paid off big time on Monday as Paye broke his verbal commitment with Boston College and accepted an offer to play for the University of Michigan next fall, currently the No. 2-ranked team in college football.

After conversing with those close to him on Sunday night, he came to the realization that the Michigan opportunity was one that he simply couldn’t pass up.

“It’s definitely a weight off my back because I was worried about what others would think of my decision,” Paye said. “But, last night, my family and I sat down and had a long talk and decided that [Michigan] was the right place for me. I love BC, but Michigan is just playing at a whole different level right now.”

Paye committed to Boston College after a standout junior campaign, but when former Eagles’ defensive coordinator Don Brown took over in the same capacity at Michigan, Brown quickly sold Head Coach Jim Harbaugh on Paye.

Paye was extended a scholarship offer and made an official visit to Michigan earlier this month.

From there, Michigan’s coaching staff was extremely helpful for Paye during his decision-making process.

“He always loved me and thought I would be able to fit into the program,” Paye said of Brown. “Last month, they started to heavily recruit me and then made the offer and then I had a lot to think about. All of those coaches, they were laid back and never tried to force anything on me. They knew it was my choice, and that helped because, in this process, it’s definitely stressful. Those guys helped a lot.”

Paye also sought advice from those who were around him on a daily basis, reaching out to his Hendricken coaches during a stressful few weeks.

“They’ve been very supportive,” Paye said of his current coaches and teammates. “I talked to the coaches a lot over the past few weeks, talking to them about what I should do. They ultimately told me that it was my choice, and that really helped me along the way.”

For Paye, he knew he always had the potential to reach his goal of playing at a high-level Division I program.

And it didn’t take Hendricken head coach Keith Croft long to realize Paye’s unique skill set either.

Paye was a key contributor by his sophomore year, displaying his versatility and helping the Hawks to a state crown.

“Sophomore year,” Croft responded when asked when he realized Kwity’s unique potential. “We had him playing in the Super Bowl as a sophomore and you could see he had things that you just couldn’t coach. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him over the last four years.”

As a junior last fall, Paye emerged as arguably the most dominant force in the state. And, this fall, Paye has been uncontainable on both sides of the football.

Croft has known for a while that Paye is a rare talent, and he’s happy that he’s getting the recognition that he deserves.

“Michigan is just the best of the best right now, you can’t argue with that,” Croft said. “I think if anyone else had this opportunity, they would certainly take it.”

Paye couldn’t say enough about Hendricken, as well, and its ability to transform him from a boy into a man.

Because of his experience as a Hawk, the Providence native now feels that he’s ready to take on Michigan both athletically and academically.

“Out of all the schools in Rhode Island, I think this is where you want to send your son to be,” Paye said of Hendricken. “I came in immature, but I think I’ve definitely grown as a man and I’ve bettered myself. This school taught me how to humble myself and how to become a great man.”

From a bigger picture perspective, Paye is hopeful that his successes will open the door for Rhode Island youth football players down the road.

Both he and Croft acknowledged that Rhode Island football doesn’t always get portrayed in the best light, but they’re hoping that this proves that Rhode Islanders can compete with the best this country has to offer.

“It’s great for me and my family, but I also think it’s great for [Hendricken] and the rest of the state,” Paye said. “Growing up, kids always told me that BC would be a long shot, Division I football would be a long shot, and for me to be here and show kids that it’s not impossible, I think it gives kids much more hope that they can achieve something like that.”

“It’s unique, and I hope that for Rhode Island high school football it becomes more common,” Croft said about local players going on to play for collegiate powers. “I think Rhode Island high school football gets a bad rap. We have guys, like Kwity and the young man playing at Florida (Joseph Putu), who can play with some of the best players around the country.”

Whether it was BC or Michigan, Croft was pleased with Paye’s ability to find the right fit for him.

“It’s huge,” Croft said. “We’re very proud of him. With Kwity, it’s been a unique experience coaching him. We’re just very happy that he found a school that he’ll be happy at.”

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