Prince Edward County High School football star Rah’Quan Payne, who graduated in May, is hard at work preparing for his first year of college football after signing with Ferrum College in the spring.

He has been following through on a summer workout regimen prescribed by Ferrum coaches, though Payne noted they already have confidence in his conditioning and are going to be counting on him to contribute as a freshman.

Payne signed with Ferrum the day before his high school graduation this year, marking a triumphant end to his high school football journey, an end that seemed very much in doubt last year.

He affirmed that being able to draw interest from a college program and commit to play at the next level “was really amazing, because not many people know, but I faced an injury last summer when I tore my (posterior cruciate ligament) PCL, and I managed to come back after the first three games I missed and record 545 yards.”

He had 27 receptions, six receiving touchdowns and also ran for 154 yards and three touchdowns, all in only seven-and-a-half games.

Payne earned all-district and all-region first team honors.

“So I’m kind of hyped because I’ve come back from an injury and with all that, still managed to make it to a college team,” he said.

He had various college options he looked at before choosing Ferrum.

“I was considering Averett (University), East Carolina (University) and also Bluefield College, Norfolk State (University) and (Old Dominion University) ODU,” he said. “But Ferrum was more like home to me, and it was somewhere that the coaches felt like I can come right in and play, so I felt like that was better for me, because I want to get straight to it when I get in college.”

Payne said that with Panthers coaches pleased with his physical conditioning, “they said, really, I need to focus on the playbook, and then I’ll be set.”

As with the Eagles, he is expected to play at wide receiver.

“I will play in the slot, so I will run the ball more, and I will get quick passes,” he said. “I’ll get less long and deep passes. I’ll get more slants and outs and things like that, more like running the ball also.”

Academically, he plans to major in physical education.

Reflecting on who helped him get to where he is now in life, Payne pointed to family.

“My brother is my No. 1 supporter,” he said, referring to Rah’Sean Payne. “… He basically raised me, so he’s basically like a father figure to me, honestly.”

The elder Payne expressed excitement in seeing Rah’Quan step up to the college ranks.

“It means a lot to me, because he loves the game, and anything he loves, I love, you know what I mean?” Rah’Sean Payne said. “And it just means a lot to me that he was even able to make it that far, for real.”

Asked if he has plans to see his brother play in some Ferrum home games, Rah’Sean Payne said, “Oh, I’m going to be at every game.”

Rah’Quan Payne also credited all of his past coaches for helping him achieve like he has.

“I want to give a special thanks to Coach (Larry) White who was my first-ever football coach,” he said. “He’s got me to where I am today. Him and Coach (James) Ford, they really got me to where I am. They pushed me so much. They always let me know I can be better than what I am.”

White, who is now the Prince Edward varsity football head coach after Ford left for Culpeper earlier this year, reflected on Payne.

“When he first came out to play middle school, I played him as a defensive back,” White said. “I always told him if he worked hard, it will pay off. I was very hard on him. I’d seen how good he could be. When he came to the high school, his football career went sky high. I watched him turn out to be a good ballplayer at Prince Edward (County) High School. I’m very proud of him. It makes me feel good to see one of my former players advance in their career. I wish him nothing but the best.”