Before drafting two Ohio State players, Sean Payton turned to old friend Urban Meyer

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Before the New Orleans Saints drafted two Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of last month’s draft, Sean Payton turned to an old friend with some pretty good insight on them — Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.

“We kind of grew up in the profession together,” recalled Meyer, who was an assistant coach at Illinois State from 1988-1989 and Colorado State from 1990-1995, while Payton was beginning his coaching career at San Diego State and Indiana State.

Payton said he and Meyer got to know each other while recruiting the same areas, and they’ve stayed in touch ever since.

“I spent some time with him this year at the combine. And I just have a tremendous respect for a guy that has gone up through the ranks the way he has, and he’s a winner,” said Meyer, who said he remembers the young Payton as a “football junkie” who took his game to the next level when he latched on with Jon Gruden and the Philadelphia Eagles’ staff in 1997.

Meyer said he would visit Payton with the Eagles while he was recruiting the area as an assistant coach with Notre Dame.

“I’ve never seen anyone outwork him,” Meyer said. “We kind of grew up in college, and then he got around Jon Gruden and it was an opportunity for him to really grow as a coach.”

New Saints receiver Michael Thomas and safety Vonn Bell were projected as second-round picks, but Meyer’s insight and endorsement surely helped boost their stock in New Orleans.

Meyer said he thought both players were worthy of first-round draft picks.

“I’ve been fortunate to coach some first-round talent, and I believe they both were,” Meyer said. “I think they’re in a …

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