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Apollo Payne makes college decision

RemasterDirector_5122f8b34by:Blair Sanderson•12/22/23•

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Apollo Payne
Cedar Rapids Prairie wide receiver Apollo Payne is joining the Iowa Hawkeyes as a preferred walk-on. (Photo by Dennis Scheidt, HawkeyeReport.com)

Cedar Rapids Prairie wide receiver Apollo Payne has made his college decision. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Payne announced today that he is headed to the University of Iowa as a preferred walk-on for the Hawkeyes.

The son of O.J. Payne, who played defensive line at Iowa from 2002-2003, Apollo chose the Hawkeyes over a preferred walk-on opportunity from Iowa State, as well as Division II scholarship offers from Sioux Falls, St. Thomas, and Minnesota State.

“It was the home feeling I got when I was on campus,” Payne told HawkeyeReport.com. “The love shown from the coaches and even the players when I was there, having them approach me and talk was great. Also, my dad played for them, so keeping the family line at Iowa is a great feeling.”

As a senior, Payne put up big numbers for Prairie High School, finishing the season with 46 catches for 838 yards and eight touchdowns on offense along with 49.5 tackles on defense in 2023.

He joins an impressive class of walk-ons for the Hawkeyes that currently includes 11 players.

Iowa’s Class of 2024 walk-ons

Graham Eben – 6-foot-1, 190-pound S/LB from Rock Rapids, IA

Devan Van Ness – 6-foot-1, 220-pound LB from Barrington, IL

Trent Cakerice – 6-foot-5, 235-pound DL from Grundy Center, IA

DJ Vonnahme – 6-foot-4, 205-pound TE from Carroll, IA

Cole Marsh – 6-foot-6, 215-pound TE/ATH from Waverly, IA

Drew Larson – 6-foot-1, 185-pound ATH from Iowa City, IA

Grant Glausser – 5-foot-11, 202-pound RB from Epworth, IA

Kyler Gerardy – 6-foot-0, 183-pound DB from Eldridge, IA

Tripp Woody – 5-foot-11, 170-pound K from Charlotte, NC

Ethan Aghakhan – 6-foot-2, 250-pound DL from Lincolnshire, IL

Apollo Payne – 6-foot-3, 195-pound WR from Cedar Rapids, IA

Stay with HawkeyeReport.com for the latest on Iowa football recruiting.

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