Meet Alex Payne! A Gainesville High School senior, who officially committed today to the USC Trojan football program! Standing tall at 6’6” and weighing 265 pounds, Alex is a powerhouse on the field as an offensive tackle for the Gainesville Red Elephants.
Off the field, Alex is the proud son of Chad and Tiffany Payne and a role model to his four siblings.
We want to thank Alex for sitting down with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Question: What has been your favorite thing about playing at Gainesville?
Answer: “My favorite thing about playing at Gainesville is the brotherhood. No matter how long anyone has been there, whether they’ve been there for one year or three, they get treated with the same love and respect every other person does on the team.”
Q: How long have you been playing football? What do you love about it?
A: “I’ve been playing football since I was 6. My favorite part of it all has been being able to play on teams that love and push each other to be better everyday.”
Q: Who is your favorite college team and NFL team?
A: “My favorite college team is the USC Trojans, and my favorite NFL team is the Falcons.”
Q: Who’s your favorite athlete of all time? Why?
A: “My favorite athlete of all time is Kaleb McGary from the Falcons. I was a ballboy intern for their team these past couple years and I’ve learned a lot from him at the practices ive been to. I try to recreate the way he does drills.”
Q: What’s something important that you’ve learned from Coach Niblett?
A: “Something important I’ve learned from Coach Niblett is that football is a brotherhood, and you don’t lose the relationship you have with your teammates just because the season is over or that you’re graduating.”
Q: Who inspires you the most?
A: “My parents inspire me the most. The way they’re able to balance the day-to-day life of being an adult with priorities and having children really sparked something in me that showed me life won’t be so hard when I grow up.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Gainesville?
A: “My favorite restaurant in Gainesville is Buffalo’s Cafe.”
Q: Tell us something you love about USC?
A: “Something I love about USC, is the team chemistry on their football team. It really reminded me of how my football team at Gainesville High School is. Without good teammates there to keep pushing you, there’s no way to get any better.”
