Victor "VJ" Payne (born March 17, 2004) is an American professional football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats and was selected by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft.
_(cropped).jpg) Payne with Kansas State in 2025 | |
| No. 34 – New York Jets | |
|---|---|
| Position | Safety |
| Roster status | Active |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 17, 2004 Gainesville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 206 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Buford (Buford, Georgia) |
| College | Kansas State (2022–2025) |
| NFL draft | 2026: 7th round, 228th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
editPayne attended Buford High School in Buford, Georgia. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Kansas State Wildcats.[1]
College career
editAs a freshman in 2022, Payne played in all 14 games and made four starts, including in the Big 12 Championship Game and the Sugar Bowl.[2][3] In 2023, he recorded 57 tackles and an interception.[4] In 2024, Payne started all 13 games, where he totaled 64 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, four pass deflections, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles, earning honorable mention all-Big 12 honors.[5][6] He earned an invitation to participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.[7]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3+1⁄4 in (1.91 m) | 206 lb (93 kg) | 33+3⁄4 in (0.86 m) | 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | 6 ft 8+3⁄4 in (2.05 m) | 4.40 s | 1.52 s | 2.56 s | 4.33 s | 6.94 s | 35.0 in (0.89 m) | 10 ft 7 in (3.23 m) | |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[8][9] | ||||||||||||
Payne was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round with the 228th overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft.[10]
References
edit- ↑ Black, Ryan (September 19, 2021). "Georgia defensive back VJ Payne becomes newest commit of Kansas State's 2022 class". The Mercury. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ Green, Arne (August 27, 2023). "What's next for Kansas State football sophomore defensive backs VJ Payne, Jacob Parrish?". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ Green, Arne (August 1, 2025). "Kansas State football preview 2025: Senior VJ Payne the lone returning starter at safety". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ Green, Arne (July 14, 2024). "Talent and experience have made Kansas State football's secondary a defensive strength". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ Robinett, Kellis. "Why VJ Payne can be Kansas State's best defensive back of the Chris Klieman era". Wichita Eagle. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ Green, Arne (May 14, 2025). "Kansas State football safety VJ Payne is on the fast track to a career in the NFL". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ Maitra, Shayni. "Kansas State Duo Sam Hecht and VJ Payne Receive Shine Bowl Invitations". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ "VJ Payne Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ "VJ Payne College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ Bell, Jack (April 25, 2026). "With Their Final Pick in the Draft, Jets Select DB VJ Payne in Round 7". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved April 27, 2026.