Congratulations to Rico Payton, 2018 Lindbergh High School graduate, on signing with the New Orleans Saints as an un-drafted free agent this past weekend.
Rico was on the 2017 Lindbergh Flyers football team that made it to the district championship game after going 9-1 in the regular season. During that season, Payton was a 1st Team All-State Defensive Back and a 2nd Team All-State Returner. In his senior season, the star Wide Receiver/Cornerback had 836 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns while also hauling in 41 catches for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also blanketed his defensive side of the ball, where opposing receivers were rarely targeted, and when they were, Payton took advantage, having three interceptions through his senior season.
Rico continued his academic and athletic career at Southern Illinois-Carbondale after graduating from Lindbergh, and was a Saluki for a year before transferring the Pitt State where he played for the Gorillas up until this past fall.
Upon signing with the Saints, Rico will now go into the Rookie mini-camp with the hopes of earning a roster spot.
Lindbergh is proud of Rico Payton, and we wish him well on this journey!