The Spaz
04-05-2003, 12:04 AM
http://www.allproscouting.com/davidpaine.html
In 1998, David Paine of Melrose high school in Memphis was the most sought after defensive player in the country. He was dominating posting 145 tackles, 42 sacks, 2 INT, and 2 TD as a senior and was named USA Today and Parade All-American, as well as the Gatorade Player of the Year. The 6'6 1/2", 267-pounder was being recruited by Georgia, Alabama, Miami, Florida, and Florida State, just to name a few. With a newborn daughter, Paine narrowed his decision down to Alabama and Georgia because he wanted to be close to home. On March 4th, 1999, Paine announced he would be attending the University of Alabama in what was to be one of the most outstanding recruiting classes in the country.
Paine was set to join former high school teammate Kindal Moorehead on the Tide defensive line which also included Albert Means, Jarrett Johnson, and Kenny King. Unfortunately for Paine and the Tide, he was declared ineligible by the NCAA because of acdemics(2.4 GPA, 18 ACT, needed 21 on ACT) and was forced to transfer to the JUCO ranks. Paine chose Northwest Mississippi Community College where he played for Bobby Franklin. In his first three games in JUCO, Paine tallied 11 sacks. After his third game, he had to make a decision between staying in JUCO or going back home to Memphis to be near his newborn daughter, Shiquirra. He chose to leave NW Mississippi and go home to his family and help take care of his daughter.
In the spring of 2000, David enrolled in Garden City Community College in Kansas. Since it was the spring semester, football was not an option just yet. David focused on his academics, but again he was faced with another family oriented decision. He found out he was expecting another child and finished the spring semester at Garden City before moving back to Memphis. Soon after he had moved back, David had his second daughter. He named her Deja. At just 20 years of age, David was the father of two children. His college dreams were put on hold and Paine did everything he could to take care of his daughters, including washing cars.
After spending brief stints at Alabama, and two JUCO's, David then set his eye on professional football. Knowing that the NFL wasn't yet an option, he played for the Memphis Blast, a semi-pro team. David played both DE, where he racked up 26 sacks, and LT where he was the most dominating player on either side of the ball. He was named the NAFL player of the year and was selected 1st team All-NAFL. Although it was just a semi-pro league, it allowed David to showcase his skills and be near his family.
In 2002, Paine again played semi-pro football for the Memphis Extreme, reunited with his high school head coach, Tim Thompson. Through just the first half of the season, Paine recorded another 15 sacks, but left to attend the fall semester at Kentucky State where yet again, he was informed he would not be eligible to play football. Paine finished the fall semester recently where he majored in Industrial Engineering.
David Paine, now 22, is in Memphis where he will make himself available for the 2003 NFL draft. He's now 6'6 1/2, 285-pounds and can run the forty in the 4.6 area, as well as post a vertical of 37 1/2". His physical talents are something truly remarkable and the things that he has had to overcome have made him a better, more mature person. He has had to fight an uphill battle his entire life and not once did Paine complain about his situation or try to blame someone else. He has taken responsibility for his actions and he has survived through it all.
Although he is not taking the easy road to achieve his goal of playing in the NFL, he is still very positive and optimistic that everything will workout and he will get his chance. The major concern is whether or not he can handle the mental side of the NFL and from talking with David in the past and today, I believe he can if he can surround himself with people who care for him. He will train for the next few months in preparation for his post-season workouts and expects to participate at the University of Memphis when the Tigers hold their pro day workouts. I anticipate a lot of feedback from NFL personnel in regards to this piece and I will assure you that there are some teams who know who he is to this day. Be advised that in a few short months, you too will know the name David Paine.
We should look at this guy as a 7th rounder or bring him in as an undrafted rookie free agent, he seems interesting. Go Bills!
In 1998, David Paine of Melrose high school in Memphis was the most sought after defensive player in the country. He was dominating posting 145 tackles, 42 sacks, 2 INT, and 2 TD as a senior and was named USA Today and Parade All-American, as well as the Gatorade Player of the Year. The 6'6 1/2", 267-pounder was being recruited by Georgia, Alabama, Miami, Florida, and Florida State, just to name a few. With a newborn daughter, Paine narrowed his decision down to Alabama and Georgia because he wanted to be close to home. On March 4th, 1999, Paine announced he would be attending the University of Alabama in what was to be one of the most outstanding recruiting classes in the country.
Paine was set to join former high school teammate Kindal Moorehead on the Tide defensive line which also included Albert Means, Jarrett Johnson, and Kenny King. Unfortunately for Paine and the Tide, he was declared ineligible by the NCAA because of acdemics(2.4 GPA, 18 ACT, needed 21 on ACT) and was forced to transfer to the JUCO ranks. Paine chose Northwest Mississippi Community College where he played for Bobby Franklin. In his first three games in JUCO, Paine tallied 11 sacks. After his third game, he had to make a decision between staying in JUCO or going back home to Memphis to be near his newborn daughter, Shiquirra. He chose to leave NW Mississippi and go home to his family and help take care of his daughter.
In the spring of 2000, David enrolled in Garden City Community College in Kansas. Since it was the spring semester, football was not an option just yet. David focused on his academics, but again he was faced with another family oriented decision. He found out he was expecting another child and finished the spring semester at Garden City before moving back to Memphis. Soon after he had moved back, David had his second daughter. He named her Deja. At just 20 years of age, David was the father of two children. His college dreams were put on hold and Paine did everything he could to take care of his daughters, including washing cars.
After spending brief stints at Alabama, and two JUCO's, David then set his eye on professional football. Knowing that the NFL wasn't yet an option, he played for the Memphis Blast, a semi-pro team. David played both DE, where he racked up 26 sacks, and LT where he was the most dominating player on either side of the ball. He was named the NAFL player of the year and was selected 1st team All-NAFL. Although it was just a semi-pro league, it allowed David to showcase his skills and be near his family.
In 2002, Paine again played semi-pro football for the Memphis Extreme, reunited with his high school head coach, Tim Thompson. Through just the first half of the season, Paine recorded another 15 sacks, but left to attend the fall semester at Kentucky State where yet again, he was informed he would not be eligible to play football. Paine finished the fall semester recently where he majored in Industrial Engineering.
David Paine, now 22, is in Memphis where he will make himself available for the 2003 NFL draft. He's now 6'6 1/2, 285-pounds and can run the forty in the 4.6 area, as well as post a vertical of 37 1/2". His physical talents are something truly remarkable and the things that he has had to overcome have made him a better, more mature person. He has had to fight an uphill battle his entire life and not once did Paine complain about his situation or try to blame someone else. He has taken responsibility for his actions and he has survived through it all.
Although he is not taking the easy road to achieve his goal of playing in the NFL, he is still very positive and optimistic that everything will workout and he will get his chance. The major concern is whether or not he can handle the mental side of the NFL and from talking with David in the past and today, I believe he can if he can surround himself with people who care for him. He will train for the next few months in preparation for his post-season workouts and expects to participate at the University of Memphis when the Tigers hold their pro day workouts. I anticipate a lot of feedback from NFL personnel in regards to this piece and I will assure you that there are some teams who know who he is to this day. Be advised that in a few short months, you too will know the name David Paine.
We should look at this guy as a 7th rounder or bring him in as an undrafted rookie free agent, he seems interesting. Go Bills!