Bruin commit Bryan Payton (6-2, 185, 4.47) from West Covina (Calif.) South Hills is seeing his stock soar again. Payton already rated by Rivals as a four-star recruit is having an outstanding summer participating at combines, camps and especially last week at the Elite 8 passing league tournament. Beyond Elite 2000’s Henry Bell was in attendance and liked what he saw in his former camper.

Just to remind you Bell started for Purdue under Joe Tiller and helped Tiller turn the long suffering Boilermaker program around

“Bryan Payton put on a show last week against Culver City in the Nike 7 on 7 tourney,” Bell said. “Out of the first four passes thrown to Bryan’s side, two were picked off while the other two were broken up.”

“Both plays were on the very highly regarded and talented (four-star) Michael Bumpus (6-0, 185, 4.5) and (three-star) Jaison Williams respectively,” Bell said. “Jaison eventually caught a pass on him, but by that time it was irrelevant.”

“Bryan is the best corner in the state period,” Bell said. “I seen a lot of corners this spring and summer, I still have yet to see anyone that has the size, speed, and overall technique like Bryan.”

“Bryan was running Michael's and Jaison’s routes and just picking off passes like he was suppose to be the receiver,” Bell said. “I just call it how I see it.”

Bell wasn’t the only coach who sang the praises of Culver City quarterback coach Greg Goodyear was also impressed by Payton.

“Payton was very good and he has nice size,” Goodyear said. “The Bruins have a good player with Payton.”

Payton has all the intangibles that are needed to be a successful corner. He is very flexible and being flexible translates to football speed. By all accounts Payton doesn’t mind mixing it up either.

Just reminder if you are new to the Payton story. He led the state in interceptions with 11. Payton also had 36 tackles from his corner spot.

Payton was selected first-team all-state, all-area, all-CIF (all sections and Division VII), and all-league for his junior season performance.