Payton VanSteenkiste is a BYU football commit for the Class of 2021, giving a verbal commitment to the Cougs on December 16, 2020.
Blessed to chase my dreams! 100% committed!!! ?⚪️ #TopGuns21 #GoCougs @BYUfootball @BYUFBRecruiting @fsitake @CoachPHadley @JackDamuni @RHSTrojanFB pic.twitter.com/j92zuI0JmK
— Payton VanSteenkiste (@__pmv__) December 17, 2020
VanSteenkiste is a 5-foot-11 180 pound wide receiver and defensive back that prepped at Rigby High School (Rigby, Idaho). As a senior he recorded 35 tackles, one sack, 12 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one recovery, and four interceptions. On offense he had 10 receptions for 212 yards (21.2 avg) and four touchdowns, with three two-point conversions, and 305 yards on punt and kickoff returns. He was a team captain and named to the High County Conference, All-Idaho, and 5A state first-teams. Rigby was runner-up for the 5A state title (after having claimed it during VanSteenkiste’s junior year).
VanSteenkiste also lettered in Track and Field.
VanSteenkiste is rated 2-stars by 247Sports, who rank him as the no. 15 overall prospect from Idaho for the class of 2021. He has seen recruiting interest from Dixie State, Idaho State, San Diego, Southern Utah, and Weber State, with scholarship offers from Montana Tech. He will serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in St. Louis Missouri and will join the Cougs for the 2023 football season as a preferred walk-on.
I caught up with VanSteenkiste to ask him about his recruiting.
BYU Insider: Why did you choose BYU?
VanSteenkiste: I’ve dreamed of being a cougar since I went to sports camps there when I was young. They provide a great education, have an amazing football program, and I love my coaches.
BYU Insider: What are some of your favorites?
VanSteenkiste: Golf, ping-pong, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch
BYU Insider: What is one of your greatest accomplishment in sports?
VanSteenkiste: State champ and first-team All-Idaho defensive back
BYU Insider: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
VanSteenkiste: “Work like it depends on you, pray like it depends on God.”
BYU Insider: Who is a current player that you seek to emulate on the field?
VanSteenkiste: Dirty Dan (Daniel Sorensen, DB, Kansas City Chiefs)
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