Former Naperville Central quarterback Payton Thorne stopped by his alma mater one day last week to toss the football around with Jayden Reed, Cade McDonald and Reggie Fleurima.
The practice session with the former Redhawks receivers took place during school hours at Memorial Stadium and within view of several classrooms. It’s not hard to imagine what a distraction that must have been for students.
One member of the quartet, Reed, who is entering his third season with the Green Bay Packers, is already playing in the NFL. The other three are hoping to join him one day.
Thorne is the closest, having signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on April 26.
“It was great,” Thorne said of signing the contract. “Obviously, you’ve dreamed your whole life to play in the NFL. The next step of that journey was just getting an opportunity. So I’m thankful for the opportunity that has presented itself, and now it’s about doing everything I can to stick around as long as I can in the league.”
Those who know Thorne best are optimistic he has a good chance to do that.
“I absolutely think he does,” retired Naperville Central football coach Mike Stine said. “The game now becomes a business, and to be successful now, you have to treat it like a business.
“There is nobody that will ever outwork Payton when it comes to that. So I think his chances of being successful at this level becomes possibly greater just because of his contributions that he can add.”
Thorne, who left Thursday for rookie minicamp in Cincinnati, gained a wealth of college experience during four years at Michigan State and two at Auburn. In 53 games, including 48 starts, he passed for 10,961 yards and 86 touchdowns with 43 interceptions. He added 1,068 yards and 11 TDs on the ground.
That didn’t come as a surprise to Stine, who was Thorne’s coach during his two seasons with the Redhawks.
“You got to be talented first, and you got to be lucky, and you got to be at the right place at the right time when you get your opportunity to take advantage of it,” Stine said. “I know Payton will be there for that, and he’s been preparing for this his whole life.
“He and I have talked about that. He’s the son and grandson of a coach.”
Thorne’s father, Jeff, was a four-year starting quarterback at Eastern Illinois who later coached North Central College to its first NCAA Division III national championship in 2019.
Jeff Thorne, who named Payton after Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, took two years off to be able to watch his son play at Auburn and now works in sales for GoRout.
“My dad has been there every step of the way,” Payton Thorne said. “He’s been the most vital person in my athletic journey, so being able to share that with him was really cool.
“His dream was to play in the NFL, and I think that he would have if he was taller. He’s only 5-10, but he was a really talented guy. So for me to get this opportunity is pretty cool.”
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound Thorne feels he is as prepared as anyone after playing in the Big Ten and the SEC.
“I don’t think many guys out there have played against the collection of schools that I have and been able to play on,” Thorne said. “That I got to play the best of the best and on some pretty big stages is definitely something that I know will be of use going forward.
“I’ve played against a lot of guys that are doing a lot of great things in the NFL. Obviously, the NFL is different, but I’ve played the highest level of college football, the closest thing to the NFL that you can get, so I definitely have confidence with that.”
Naperville Central football coach Mike Ulreich, who was the defensive coordinator during Thorne’s time with the Redhawks, is equally confident in him.
“I can’t image many quarterbacks in college that have started more games than Payton Thorne,” Ulreich said. “He is a pro in every sense of the term.
“He gets it, every single piece of it — the preparation, the offseason work — and he’s probably one of the most competitive people I’ve ever been around.”
Thorne will face his fiercest competition yet to earn a roster spot with the Bengals, who have veteran quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Jake Browning and Logan Woodside on their roster.
But Thorne is eager to learn from Burrow while getting the chance to throw to stars like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
“It’s a chance to learn from Joe, learning what his thought processes are on certain things, but even more so just watching him and observing the way that he works and goes about his business,” Thorne said.
“Then it’s a great coaching staff as well, so I’m looking to be a sponge and absorb as much of the coaching points that they have and learn the offense as quickly as possible, and then just get to know my teammates and get to work.”
As an undrafted free agent, Thorne will have his work cut out for him. But he wouldn’t be the first former Redhawks player to reach the NFL that way. Tight end Cameron Brate, a 2010 Naperville Central grad, won a Super Bowl during a nine-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Cam Brate signed a contract with the Buccaneers right after the draft, just won those guys over,” Ulreich said. “Just hoping the same thing for Payton, that he gets his foot in the door.
“That type of character that Payton Thorne is, if he’s successful, then it’s no surprise. He’s just a wonderful human being.”
Stine will continue to cheer for him.
“Growing up, we all have dreams, and a few select get to reach those dreams,” Stine said. “I know Payton has worked extremely hard to get where he’s at. It will be exciting to watch this journey continue for him.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
