Ayden Payne didn’t need much time on his Oregon State visit to feel like he’d found the place. The 6-foot-3, 178-pound safety/defensive back/athlete from Anaheim Western High School in Anaheim, California, said the Beavers’ official visit checked every box - and then some - before he committed as a 2027 recruit and plans to graduate early to enroll next winter.
For Payne, the biggest shift was simple: the stress is gone.
“I'm very relieved that the pressure is off my shoulders. I feel like this season I can focus on my craft, go ball-out, and hurry up and get to Oregon.”
Payne, who also had offers from San Diego St., Washington St., Utah St., and Fresno St. before choosing Oregon State, said the staff sold him on versatility right away. After talking with Coach MacIntyre, he came away with a clear sense that the Beavers see him as a piece who can move around.
“I had a conversation with Coach MacIntyre, and he said that he likes me so much because of how versatile I am. So he could put me down at safety, or I could also go corner.”
The visit itself left a lasting mark. Payne said Oregon State felt familiar in a way that stood out from the rest of his trips, especially because of the relationships he built with Coach Shep, Coach Eron, Coach Rowe, and Coach Eaton. One connection in particular came fast.
“Oregon State really just felt like home, like I knew everybody, and everybody was so welcoming. I had feelings like that with other visits, but being at OSU really just stuck with me, especially the relationships with Coach Shep, Coach Eron, Coach Rowe, and Coach Eaton.
Coach Eaton and I clicked really fast. I'm going to spend 80% of my time with him.
After seeing all of that, I was ready to commit.”
His path to Oregon State started at a college showcase, where Coach Hodges offered him on the spot after seeing his film from the previous season. Payne said that relationship helped make the Beavers stand out from the jump.
“I was at a college showcase with some coaches, and Coach Hodges, who had seen me on film from the previous season, offered me on the spot. That relationship with him meant the most as he and I clicked really fast.
I love his humor; he's very funny. He's not one of the coaches I'm scared to say things to.
I can be myself around him, I can say what I want around him, and we can both laugh at each other's jokes. We also really clicked because we both play chess.
So we will always send each other chess matches on a random night and play together.”
And yes, Payne says he’s ready for more of those matchups once he gets to Corvallis.
How good at chess are you?
“I'm pretty good. When I get to Corvallis, I will definitely be playing some chess with Coach Hodges in his office.”
Payne also opened up about the uncertainty that came before this commitment. Earlier last year, he had orbital wall surgery after an injury during a 7-on-7 match and dealt with double vision for three weeks. With that behind him, locking in his college choice brought real relief.
“Relieved. Earlier last year, I had gone through orbital wall surgery after getting injured during a 7-on-7 match.
For three weeks, I had double vision. I was really scared going into the season, not knowing if I'd be able to play.
Last year, there was a lot of uncertainty. So, this year, knowing where I'm going to play in college is a relief.
I can't do anything without God.”
He said the official visit confirmed the fit in several ways, including how easy it was to talk with everyone around the program.
“There were many moments. I'm a social person, so knowing I could sit down with anyone there and have a conversation and joke with them meant a lot. So when we all went to Coach Shep's house, I just knew that it felt like home.”
Payne also said he noticed the Beavers’ emphasis on more than just football. Oregon State’s staff made a strong impression by stressing academics and financial responsibility.
“Yes, starting with how much the staff and coaches want you to be successful in academics, and how to manage your money. They really want to take care of us and for all of us to be successful.”
The other recruits on the trip helped build the case, too. Payne said he already knew a few of them, clicked with several others, and is now in a group chat with them. He even has roommates lined up.
“It was great. I knew a few of them from before.
I really clicked with some of the guys, and we're all now in a group chat together. I've already picked out my roommates: Johnny, Ben, and Tymon.”
As for the overall vibe around the program, Payne said the togetherness was impossible to miss. He pointed to the way parents, coaches, staff, and players all interacted during the night at Coach Shep’s house.
“I really felt the trust and the comfort that everybody had with each other. It wasn't like anybody was just in their own little circle.
Everybody there was connected. Everybody was talking to each other.
The parents were talking to the coaches; the staff were talking to the kids; the coaches were talking to the kids. The chemistry with everybody just connected that night when we were all at Coach Shep's house, and the energy was amazing.
I feed off energy, so seeing that energy was really important for me.”
Now his focus shifts to the work ahead. Payne wants to add size before arriving at Oregon State, with a target weight of 185 pounds.
“Put on weight. I'm currently 178 and want to reach 185. I know I'm going to be hitting guys that are bigger than those I'm used to hitting, so I need the extra weight and strength.”
And his message to Beaver Nation is straight to the point.
“Set the Dam standard. There's a standard that when we do get to Oregon State, we've got to set every day, to be the best person that we can be, and when we do, nobody can mess with us.”
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