Payton Thorne | Pressure, Faith, & the NFL Draft Journey

From Michigan State to Auburn, Payton Thorne’s journey has been anything but easy. He’s led two major programs, faced the highs and lows of big-time college football, and now he’s stepping into a whole new challenge, the NFL Draft process.

In this episode of Built 4 More, Payton opens up about how the rise of NIL has changed college football, what it’s like handling the pressure of big expectations, and how faith and family have kept him grounded through it all.

He also shares how playing multiple sports growing up shaped the way he competes today, the lessons he’s carried with him from each chapter of his life, and why staying true to who you are matters most when everything around you keeps shifting.

This conversation goes beyond football. It’s about trusting God’s plan, staying steady through the unknown, and focusing on the things that actually last when everything else moves fast.