Bryan Payton is entering his eighth season in the Northwestern Football recruiting office. He spent the past four seasons as NU's Director of Recruiting Communications before being appointed Director of Recruiting - Defense in August of 2021.
As one of the lead recruiters on the Northwestern staff, Payton has played a major role in signing some of the best recruiting classes in Northwestern history, including two first round NFL Draft picks in Rashawn Slater and Greg Newsome II. As a relationship builder, Payton prides himself on helping recruits and their families through the recruiting process in addition to shedding light on everything Northwestern has to offer.
Prior to joining Northwestern, Payton served as an assistant track & field coach working with the sprints and hurdles events at three different stops at the D-III level – Trine University, Allegheny College and Otterbein University. He also served as a graduate assistant for football at Concord University (D-II).
A Fort Wayne, Ind. native, Payton studied journalism, public relations, and fashion design at Indiana University, where he played running back during the 2005-09 seasons. He resides in Evanston with his wife, Kimberly, son, Senyo, and daughter, Nylah.
As one of the lead recruiters on the Northwestern staff, Payton has played a major role in signing some of the best recruiting classes in Northwestern history, including two first round NFL Draft picks in Rashawn Slater and Greg Newsome II. As a relationship builder, Payton prides himself on helping recruits and their families through the recruiting process in addition to shedding light on everything Northwestern has to offer.
Prior to joining Northwestern, Payton served as an assistant track & field coach working with the sprints and hurdles events at three different stops at the D-III level – Trine University, Allegheny College and Otterbein University. He also served as a graduate assistant for football at Concord University (D-II).
A Fort Wayne, Ind. native, Payton studied journalism, public relations, and fashion design at Indiana University, where he played running back during the 2005-09 seasons. He resides in Evanston with his wife, Kimberly, son, Senyo, and daughter, Nylah.