Exit Kwity Paye
Alas, according to Rivals, and to the surprise of nobody, the elder of Michigan's two incredible defensive ends has decided not to use his extra COVID year to return and be on the cover of HTTV 2021. Considering the four years we just got out of him, and the chorus of first round chatter over his testing numbers, and that fact that he led Bruce Feldman's "freaks" list this year, and the fact that Don Brown called him the best technical defender in the country, well, this is okay.
Paye was a Don Brown special, a low 3-star recruit out of Rhode Island. That fact continued to make star-gazers mad, until Paye grew into a "dense" SDE type that ruins the gap between the tackle and tight end. When a sophomore Paye was forced into the lineup in place of junior 5-star Rashan Gary, the fact that there was no perceived drop-off in Michigan's defensive end play was a sour one for Gary but pretty alright for the prospects of Mr. Paye.
He deserved to be all Big Ten this year, and played at an all-American level in the three and a half games he was healthy and available. He and fellow DE Aidan Hutchinson, who also has an NFL decision to make, were far away the best players on Michigan's team, and if you opined the season's over when both went down, well, nobody will argue.
December 18th, 2020 at 7:25 PM ^
Can't believe Kwity gave up HTTV '21. He might have been the most special of the Don Brown New England Clam Chowdah Specials.
December 18th, 2020 at 7:43 PM ^
Kwity sure outplayed his high school rankings. It would be mind-boggling if he was drafted earlier than Rashan went. Hoping Hutchinson will return, but I don’t really expect that he will. That D-line next year could be a real problem.
December 18th, 2020 at 9:03 PM ^
Hutchinson has basically no tape from his junior season and as many as two more seasons to catch the attention of pro scouts. And his father is a doctor decreasing his need to go pro early simply to start earning a paycheck. I can see him feeling a bit of unfinished business and coming back to contend for AA honors and a first round draft slot.
December 18th, 2020 at 10:12 PM ^
Hopeful upvote.
December 18th, 2020 at 10:29 PM ^
I won't miss the 60 point abominations against Ohio State, but I will miss Don Brown's ability to identify stud defensive ends. Kwity and Uche were both nobody recruits who turned into monsters.
December 19th, 2020 at 12:46 AM ^
Uche was a 3* if memory serves, but I’m pretty sure he had offers from a lot of major programs. Kwity was way more under the radar
December 19th, 2020 at 2:07 AM ^
Yeah but given the fact that all people do around here is complain about “all the 3*’s” I still think Brown deserves credit.
December 19th, 2020 at 8:03 AM ^
Uche wasn’t really a nobody. Just looking back at his rivals profile, he had offers from UF, Auburn and Alabama. Whether you believe that last offer was committable or not is certainly a valid discussion to have, but they show as having offered. In any case, Uche certainly had other great P5 options.
Paye....not so much. He had BC, Navy, Rutgers and Syracuse having offered him aside from Michigan.
December 19th, 2020 at 8:19 AM ^
Hutch will be returning.
December 19th, 2020 at 11:49 AM ^
This is an early Christmas present. Dang, it just seems as soon as these guys get good their college careers are over.
December 19th, 2020 at 8:35 AM ^
For what it’s worth, by chance I sat next the mom of one of Aiden’s roommates last night. Her son is a walk on for Mich. She knows Aiden pretty well—he spends time at their house in the summer. She said he is coming back. No intention to go to the NFL at this time. We’ll see if that turns out to be true.
December 21st, 2020 at 10:57 AM ^
I really want to see a full powered Hutch with a full powered McGrone with a full powered Dax with a sophisticated and adaptable defensive scheme next year. Having a legit star at each level should pay huge dividends for us. Throw in a breakout party for Hinton, Mazi Smith, and maybe Makari Paige and we could be in business. I also expect our CB's to be solid next year, whether that is the continued development of Green and Gray or a break out from Seldon or Green-Warren.
December 18th, 2020 at 7:47 PM ^
There was no content after the jump.
December 19th, 2020 at 12:10 AM ^
The story of the season.
December 18th, 2020 at 7:59 PM ^
Best of luck to Kwity! Great kid... time to take care of your family!
December 18th, 2020 at 8:01 PM ^
Good luck Kwity!!
December 18th, 2020 at 8:02 PM ^
Good for you Kwity good luck. Hope you crack the 1st round, you are that talented.
December 18th, 2020 at 8:10 PM ^
This makes all the sense in the world. Your mission, Mr. Paye, should you choose to accept it, is to go make a bunch of money.
December 18th, 2020 at 8:47 PM ^
Go get ‘em Kwity. So proud you were ours and can’t wait to watch you wreck it in the league.
December 18th, 2020 at 9:58 PM ^
Wish him luck and can't wait to see him succeed in the NFL.
December 18th, 2020 at 10:17 PM ^
Best of luck.
December 18th, 2020 at 11:20 PM ^
Thank you and best wishes. Go tear up the league!
December 19th, 2020 at 6:51 AM ^
No brainer decision for a great player. Go get paid young man!
December 19th, 2020 at 7:41 AM ^
Probably my favorite Kwity in the history of Michigan football.
December 19th, 2020 at 8:38 AM ^
It gets more discouraging every day.
I’m soooo tired of Ohio state people making fun of us!?
December 19th, 2020 at 11:10 AM ^
Happy for Kwity and hopeful he gets drafted Day 1.
Come back, Aidan, we need you, and you can be a star!!
December 19th, 2020 at 12:26 PM ^
Not surprised, surprised he came back for this year. I've said it several times, he reminded me of a Nick Lidstrom never make a mistake type of guy. I respect those guys more than the flashy types.
And he seems like a good stand-up guy too. Can't ask for anything more out of a Michigan football player.
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