Payton Page, IDL, Clemson
Size:
Height: 6032
Weight: 290
Arm: 31 ⅜”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
Third-Team All-ACC (2024)
“Payton Page’s production over his four seasons failed to meet expectations, but his experience and ability to work up a depth chart showcased a hard-nosed, high-motor defender who touts a few traits that teams look for in a 1- and 3-tech.”
Strengths:
Quickness
Leverage
Developing pass-rush repertoire
Concerns:
Length
Inconsistency
Stack/shed
Film Analysis:
A former highly touted recruit, Payton Page’s production over his four seasons failed to meet expectations, but his experience alongside other NFLers and ability to work up a depth chart showcased a hard-nosed, high-motor defender who touts a few traits that teams look for in a 1- and 3-tech.
As a run defender, Page's frame and lower-half strength allow him to effectively anchor against offensive linemen. While his physicality enables him to clog running lanes and disrupt the opponent's ground game, fine-tuning his ability to stack his opponents at the point of attack and shed blockers needs work. In moments where he cannot effectively defeat a block straight up, Page can often end up on the ground, or will attempt to slash his way into the backfield on the next rep. He has a good get-off with above-average twitch and quickness, but Page can be stymied quickly against longer blockers that can halt his momentum off the line of scrimmage.
As a pass rusher, Page has shown potential through his quick hands and ability to penetrate gaps. He has also showcased a nice bull rush that can create consistent push. While he does not project currently as a must-have presence on passing downs, Page’s quickness and physicality up front showcase a rotational piece for an NFL front in that aspect.
Concerns remain about his overall consistency. While he has displayed flashes of high level actions in both facets up front, maintaining this level of performance on a down-to-down basis remains an area for improvement. Technique also has room to grow as well in the finer nuances of the position, where Page, at times, has won reps simply due to him being the better athlete in the matchup.
Overall, Page possesses a solid foundation as a defensive tackle, headlined by his strength and quickness as a run defender and glimpses of an improving pass-rush profile.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Louisville (2024), Pitt (2024), Virginia (2024)
