The Championship Subdivision News Log

You know your program is going in the right direction when your transfers start to recruit more transfers.

Youngstown State picked up two more players on Monday when former Cincinnati wide receiver Lynell Payne and former Syracuse kicker/punter Jake Smith signed with the Penguins.

The sophomores are the seventh and eighth players to transfer in since the end of spring practice.

“We’ve been fortunate that guys have come over here and taken a look at our facilities and our university and they like it,” said YSU coach Eric Wolford. “Anytime we can continue to keep adding players on our roster and have the chance to have more depth, that’s a good thing.”

After redshirting the 2008 season, Payne had one catch in three games with the Bearcats last spring. The New Jersey native said his biggest recruiter was former Syracuse cornerback Grant Mayes, another N.J. native who signed with YSU last month.

“I knew him from some camps and combines and he said lots of nice things about the coaches and just kind of informed me about the opportunities there and what was happening,” said Payne. “I feel like I have a chance to play right away and I really liked the city. It gets behind football and loves football.”

Payne said he was also impressed by some of the players who were coming to the team, including former Purdue QB Najee Tyler.

“I just knew I needed a new home,” he said. “I came to YSU’s campus last week and I really liked it.”

The strong-legged Smith played one year with the Orangemen, going 2 for 2 on extra points (both against Akron) and missing a 50-yard field goal attempt against Penn State — his only attempt of the season.

He’s done both punting and kicking since seventh grade. YSU returns a good kicker in senior Stephen Blose but have a lot of question marks at punter.