Interview: Do-Everything 3-Star 2021 ATH Peyton Higgins Talks Troy Trojans Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2019 season was a party on the field for Class of 2021 athlete Peyton Higgins. The Mars Hill Bible standout turned in a Christian McCaffery-esq all-around performance tallying 3,015 all-purpose yards with 30 touchdowns after rolling with the rock 159 times for 1,590 yards and 21 scores and securing 15 passes for 266 more yards with two more trips into the end zone. On special teams, the 5-10-180-pound, speedster blistered Alabama squads for 377 kick return yards off 13 attempts with one score and took back 19 punts for 538 yards with “6” posted on the board three more times. Adding to the gridiron legend, Higgins was a head hunter in the Panthers secondary ending 65 plays with 15 passes broken up and one pick.
During the spring evaluation period, college football programs started finding Higgins with seven total offers reported; Austin Peay, Harding University, Navy, Northern Alabama, Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee Tech, Troy. On June 2, the Trojans extended their offer to the three-star prospect landing Higgins’ silent commitment 10 days later with a public announcement on Monday, June 15, 2020.
In an RNG catch-up interview, Higgins gives us the background information on his recruiting process with Troy and how he verbally committed becoming a Trojan.
*Click link for the May 26, 2020, RNG interview with Peyton Higgins
Interview
Peyton, congratulations on your commitment to Troy.
“Thank you.”
This process with Troy has gone quickly. Walk us through the initial stages of the Trojans’ staff showing interest in you leading up to the offer being extended on June 2.
“Coach Chip Lindsey (head coach) and his staff have showed interest in me for a while. I went to a camp at Troy last year, that was lots of fun. A few weeks ago, Coach Lindsey told me to give him a call, that is when they extended an offer; I was super excited.”
You do so many things well, at which position did they offer you?
“As a slot receiver.”
What did they say they liked about your talents on the field?
“They said they like my athleticism, my football IQ, my hands, my quickness, and the way I compete.”
At what point did your personal interest in Troy go from a heavy lean to wanting to commit?
“After lots of thoughts and prayers. I know they pass the ball a lot, they are an in-state school not too far away, Coach Lindsey is a great offensive mind, and Troy is a very good program – lots of positives, lots of good things adding up.”
Which coach on staff did you commit to and how did you break the good news?
“I called Coach Lindsey this weekend and told him. He was super excited. He told Coach (John) Carr, their slot/inside receivers coach. Coach Carr texted me, he was super excited too.”
On which day did you commit?
“Friday.”
Knowing what you were about to do, right before that meeting and the moment before the commitment words came out of your mouth, what was going through your mind?
“Lots of excitement, lots of nerves, and I was really happy when he told me they were pumped and super excited about my commitment. An overall great feeling.”
Now that you have accomplished this amazing life goal, how do you feel?
“I feel great. There is still a lot to accomplish, but one of my main goals was to play Division-I football at a high level. I am glad I have this opportunity, glad I took it, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
What have you done or will you do to celebrate this big occasion?
“Not sure. I went out to eat with my family and I ate with my teammates earlier today. It has been fun to be around them feeling their excitement.”
Peyton, again, congratulations on your commitment and thanks for your time today.
“Thank you.”
Photo credits: Peyton Higgins