Recruiting At Loyola-Chicago Is In A Euphoric State As Porter Moser Lands His First 2013 Commit

By Roy and Harv Schmidt

August 26, 2011

9:15 P.M. CST

What Loyola-Chicago and head coach Porter Moser have been able to accomplish on the recruiting trail this month is nothing short of spectacular.  In fact, they have enjoyed a degree of success that you usually won't see at any high major program during this quick of a time span.

To be more specific, Moser and the Ramblers added to their impressive recruiting haul tonight by securing a commitment from 6'4 2013 combo guard Quenten Payne from St. Charles North High School in St. Charles, IL.  It is Loyola's first commitment in the 2013 class.

Prior to landing Payne, Loyola had received verbals from three quality recruits in the 2012 class.  They are 6'1 Darrell Combs from Thornwood High School in South Holland, IL; 6'7 Matt O'Leary from North Vigo High School in Terre Haute, IN and 6'7 Nick Osborne from Muncie Central High School in Muncie, IN.

Getting back to Payne, there is no question that his college choice was aided by the fact that his older brother (Cully) is also at Loyola and will be eligible beginning in the 2012-13 season.  But that doesn't mean that Moser and the entire Rambler staff didn't have to work their tails off in order to close the deal on Quenten.  That is because he has a skill-set that is undoubtedly good enough to play at high major programs.

With all of this in mind, Payne could have ultimately held his recruitment out even longer and in all likelihood would have received some high major offers, as a number of schools at that level (including programs in the Big East and Big Ten) had expressed interest.  However, Payne ended up buying in to the same recruiting pitch that the Ramblers' four 2012 commits did--that what Moser and company are building at Loyola is truly looking to be something special.

Payne is a combo guard that sports considerable offensive versatility.  He is equally effective at either the 1 or the 2, although he is at his best with the ball in his hands.  Payne is especially adept at breaking down defenders in one-on-one situations where he consistently gets to the goal and is capable of either dishing or finishing at the rim. 

In addition, Payne is also a good perimeter shooter with legitimate 3-point range.  He merely needs to work on developing better shot selection and improving his decision-making.  At the present time Payne ranks among the top 10-15 prospects in Illinois from the loaded 2013 class.

There is no question that the entire Ramblers coaching staff deserves kudos for their outstanding recruiting efforts thus far.  We will even go as far as to say that with the talent that they have put together and assuming that the momentum will continue, Loyola now has a group which is capable of winning a Horizon League championship down the road.

***************************************************************************************************

We welcome comments regarding this story or any other entry published by Illinois Prep Bulls-eye.  They can be made by e-mailing us at royandharv@ilprepbullseye.com.  

Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to recruiting and high school basketball in Illinois.