Cover Photo Credit: Varsity Views

A 3 sport varsity athlete as a sophomore (football, baseball, basketball) with a 3.95 GPA, Metea Valley’s 2019 QB Payton Thorne is a rising recruit that is seeing interest from multiple FBS schools. We talked what its like having a collegiate head coach as a father, which schools have shown serious interest in him and how he exemplifies leadership on and off the field at such a young age.

You can find Payton on Twitter @payton15thorne.

Payton Thorne

Quarterback
Metea Valley
Naperville, IL
GPA: 3.95/4.00

Commitment status: Undecided

Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 177 lbs
Class: 2019

Photo Credit: Varsity Views

LPI: What are you going to do to take your game to the next level this offseason? Are you playing any other sports?

PT: I play basketball and baseball along with football. I’ve been going in before school to lift 3-4 days a week after the football season ended and during the basketball season. I’ve also been getting in as much throwing as I can during basketball. It gets difficult sometimes to get it in during a heavy basketball season, but I’ve grown up doing all three so I enjoy it.

LPI: You do not have any offers as of right now, but you’re only a sophomore and after seeing you play I believe you have what it takes to make an impact at the next level. What skill set can you bring to the table for a college football program?

PT: I think that my best asset as a player is my competitiveness. I love competing and winning more than anything. I also think that one of my biggest upsides is having a father who has been a college football coach my whole life. I’ve grown up in a football program and I’ve been listening to coaching my whole life so I think that brings a huge advantage for me over other guys.

LPI: What is it like having a collegiate head coach as a father? Does improving your game ever stop in the Thorne household?

PT: It’s obviously a huge advantage for me having my dad as a head college football coach. I have full access to every facility at the college and it’s a luxury to have that. For as long as I can remember I’ve been listening and learning from my dad and grandpa about the game.

LPI: Which schools have shown serious interest in you?

PT: Coach Kleinhans has told me that Penn St., Duke, Minnesota, Western Michigan, and Colorado St. have shown interest in me. I’ve been invited out to the campuses of those schools this summer. No offers from anybody though.

LPI: Where have you visited most recently and do you have any planned visits or college camps set?

PT: My most recent “visit” was to Western Michigan when my family was checking out the area after my dad was offered the OC job there in January. So I got to see all of the football facilities and a good amount of the campus. We’re in the process of planning my summer camp schedule.

LPI: On or off the field, how do you demonstrate leadership or go the extra mile for your teammates?

PT: On the field and in the weight-room, I work to set the standard, effort-wise, for myself and my teammates. With my dad having the job he does, I am able to organize off-season throwing sessions with our receivers, regularly at the college. I feel like one of my strengths is staying poised and keeping others around me calm and focused in critical situations.

LPI: Who are some of your teammates that you believe can play at the next level, but have gone overlooked by college coaches?

PT: A couple of my teammates, Jayden Reed and Bryce Effner, have both deservedly received multiple offers. It’s a privilege to get to play with them. As far as overlooked guys, Michael Brown is a very talented athlete and football player that I definitely think can play at the next level as a WR or H-back. This upcoming season will be just his 3rd year of football, so he has a ton of potential and he is a great teammate as well.