Apollo Payne is a true freshman wide receiver for the Iowa Hawkeyes from Swisher, Iowa. At Prairie High School, he earned two-time first-team all-conference and all-metro honors, along with second-team all-state recognition. As a senior, Payne recorded 46 receptions for 838 yards and eight touchdowns, while his junior season yielded 35 catches for 476 yards and two scores. He appeared in Iowa's 47-7 victory over UMass in 2025, his first game action with the program.