WR Payne to NIU
Chicago (Ill.) Simeon senior wide receiver recruit Leon Payne (6-foot-0, 165 pounds) ended his recruiting process tonight and gave Northern Illinois University his verbal commitment. Payne, who is in Dallas this weekend for the Pylon National 7on7 tournament with Boom Midwest talks about his decision here.
"It was time and I was ready to commit," Payne said. "I called up the NIU coaches and gave them my verbal commitment."
Payne, who added his NIU offer last week after an impressive camp performance in front of the NIU coaches discussed why he committed to the in-state NIU Huskies.
"NIU just feels like family to me. They have a great family atmosphere at NIU plus everyone always makes me feel so welcomed and wanted at NIU. The coaches are great guys and I also know a lot of guys already on the team. NIU offered and recruited me as a wide receiver. I feel that NIU is just a really good fit for me."
Payne looked hard at his college options but in the end couldn't pass up his opportunity to play for the NIU Huskies.
"I really appreciated all of the coaches and schools who offered and recruited me. In the end NIU is a really good program and a big offer for me and I couldn't pass it up."
Payne is now ready focus on his team and his senior year at Simeon without having to focus on recruiting.
"I'm just excited and ready to get back with my team and help us win a state championship. I'm 100 percent committed to NIU and I'm really happy about my decision."
Payne is now the known 8th known in-state verbal commitment to the NIU Huskies Class of 2018. Payne joins Palatine OLB Cortez Hogans, Andrew defensive end Mike DeHaan, Decatur MacArthur wide receiver Amir Brummett, Rich Central wide receiver Jyran Mitchell, Plainfield East defensive end Jack Sullivan, Phillips defensive tackle Queneil Morrison and Maine South running back Fotis Kokosioulis.
Leon Payne is verbally committed to Northern Illinois University.