NORTH ROBINSON (Crawford County Now) — Payne DeGray is ready for the next level of competition.

Colonel Crawford’s two-time all-Ohio defensive end signed Wednesday to attend the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Although he had other offers, he knew immediately where he wanted to go.

“The coaching staff there is unbelievable. Great people and they put off a great impression right away. Coach (Nate) Jensen is who I spent the most time with,” he said.

Jensen coaches the defensive line and is assistant head defensive coach.

“When I went for my game-day visit it’s a great atmosphere. It’s almost like high school. I was standing on the sideline and almost like helping give out plays. Real family oriented.”

The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder earned all-Ohio Division 6 Defensive Player of the Year honors to cap a stellar high school career.

DeGray collected 35.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks on the way to his second straight Northern 10 Athletic Conference and Northwest District Defensive Players of the Year.

As a junior he had 20 TFL and 5.5 sacks. During his sophomore year DeGray racked up 28 TFL and 6 sacks, forcing 3 fumbles. He earned a spot on the all-N10 first team defensive unit.

Eagles head coach Jake Bruner praised DeGray’s work ethic.

“He’s put a lot of work into it. Yes, he’s a big guy; but the amount of work in the offseason is unbelievable,” he said. “The last couple of years he’s drove to Columbus and worked on his hands and his feet on his own. In the summertime he’s out here helping our other kids.

“He’s done a great job with basketball and in the classroom. He’s a 3.9 student.”

Bruner noticed as a freshman that DeGray had the makings of a special player.

“In ’22 we couldn’t block him. We had a really good team, and he earned his way pretty quick. He was pushing kids like Parker Ketterman in practice.

“We knew he was going to be good. But we wondered as a pass rusher would he be good, and wow, that question got answered,” Bruner said.

DeGray began as a tight end before moving to offensive tackle.

“Our team needed that and he did what was best for our team. Statistically, he’s put on a show this entire year. Teams tried to run the other way.”

DeGray was chosen to the play in the North-South Classic April 25 in Massillon.

“He’s very athletic. The move he made last night passing to Brayden Holt, that shows his athleticism. He’s matured in many facets of his games and as a person,” Bruner said.

DeGray also liked the campus and its 2-hour proximity to home.

“They have the stadium right on a lake there and it’s perfect. It’s straight down (US) 30 which is an easy drive. My family is always at my games, and they’ll be out to Fort Wayne to watch my games, which is awesome.”

St. Francis is an NAIA school and participates in the Crossroads League. The Cougars went 10-2 last fall and made it to the second round of the playoffs.

“I can’t wait to go out there and learn from them. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“Over the past three years I’ve been a starter at Colonel Crawford, but I’m kind of a process guy. I want to be the best football player I can be, and this is the next step,” he said.

Bruner noted that playing for his father, defensive coordinator Brett DeGray, wasn’t easy.

“He’s gotten a lot of criticism over the years. It’s going to be good to see him have success in college.”

Bruner said DeGray’s intelligence played a role in his success.

“When you tell him something he does a really good job of ‘Hey, we’re going to do that correctly.’ I think he took that and learned and began to adjust in games.

“He’d help us (coaching staff) saying, ‘This is what they’re doing. We gotta get our guys moving’ like with stunts.”

DeGray plans to study Business Finance with a minor in Sports Management.

“I want to coach eventually. I like helping players coming up.”

He’s averaging 16 points and 6.8 rebounds per game — and shooting at a 76% rate from the field — for the basketball team.

He is the son of Brett and Angie DeGray. His brother John is a junior at Colonel Crawford.