Bethany's Payton Harrell Signs with UCO on National Signing Day
Launch the media gallery 1 player - media #1Payton Harrell Signs as an "Athlete" with the University of Central Oklahoma on February 7, 2018.
Launch the media gallery 1 player - media #2Payton Harrell (Front Row Center) with his parents Amy and Christopher signs to play football for UCO. Standing in back from left to right are Bethany Coaches: Ryley Claborn (Quarterbacks Coach), Jon Arthur (Head Coach), Adam Forester (Defensive Line Coach/Head Track Coach), Ryan Morgan (Linebackers Coach), and Chad Marchino (Offensive Coordinator)
Bethany, OK - Tuesday, February 7, 2018 was National Signing Day and athletes from all across the nation were signing their Letter's of Intent with colleges and universities. Bethany's own Payton Harrell signed his letter f intent to play football on scholarship at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Harrell, who had over 3,000 career rushing yards and 32 career touchdowns was signed by UCO as an "Athlete" meaning he could play one of several different positions based on his athletic abilities and strengths. Harrell was an integral part of the Bronchos' run to the Class 4A State Semi-Finals this past fall, the furthest playoff trip for Bethany in the playoffs since 2010. Bethany Head Football Coach Jon Arthur said, "Payton is very deserving of this great opportunity at UCO. He is a fantastic leader, young man of great character, and is one of the hardest working and most dedicated players in our program and I know he will be a great addition to the program at UCO. UCO is one of the premier Division II programs in our part of the country and we know Payton is going to continue making the Bronchos proud."
UCO plays in the prestigious NCAA Division II MIAA Conference (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association) with schools from OKlahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri making up the 14 members. UCO Head Football Coach Nick Bobeck said about Payton, he is an "athlete that fits our brand of football. He excelled on both sides of the ball and we believe he could play Running Back, Safety, or Outside Linebacker."