Payton Thorne
Payton Thorne (born June 26, 2001) is an American football quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans. High school career. Thorne originally attended Metea Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois before transferring to Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Illinois. As a senior in 2018, he was named the "Chicago Sun-Times" and "Naperville Sun" Player of the Year after throwing for 3,113 yards and 40 touchdowns. Thorne originally committed to Western Michigan University to play college football but later switched to Michigan State University. College career. Thorne was redshirted his first year at Michigan State in 2019. In  2020, he played in four games as a backup to Rocky Lombardi and made one start. In his first career start against Penn State he passed for 325 yards and three touchdowns. For the season, he completed 48 of 85 passes for 582 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Thorne was named the Spartans starter to open the 2021 season. Personal life. Thorne is a Christian. Thorne's father, Jeff Thorne, is the head coach of the North Central Cardinals football team.