No. 69 – Indianapolis Colts | |
---|---|
Position: | Defensive end |
Personal information | |
Born: | Suffolk, Virginia, U.S. | July 14, 2000
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Weight: | 275 lb (125 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Nansemond River (Suffolk, Virginia) |
College: | Lackawanna (2018–2019) Nebraska (2020–2021) Virginia Tech (2022–2023) |
Undrafted: | 2024 |
Career history | |
| |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Roster status: | Active |
Stats at Pro Football Reference |
Pheldarius Payne (born July 14, 2000) is an American professional football defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Lackawanna College, Nebraska, and Virginia Tech.
Payne grew up in Suffolk, Virginia, and attended Nansemond River High School. [1] At Nansemond River, he played football and during his senior season was an All-District and All-Region selection. [2] He committed to play college football at Lackawanna College. [3]
Payne spent two seasons at Lackawanna College. [1] He helped Lackawanna advance to the 2019 NJCAA National Championship Game. [3]
Payne committed to NC State before his sophomore season, but flipped his commitment to Nebraska after a visit to their campus. [4]
During his first season at Nebraska, Payne switched to playing outside linebacker and appeared in every game of the season. [5] During his second season, he appeared in the first ten games before being sidelined by and injury. [5] On February 28, 2022, Payne opted to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [6]
After two seasons at Nebraska, Payne transferred to Virginia Tech. [1] Before the start of the 2022 season, Payne suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture. [7] He returned for the 2023 season and appeared in all 13 games for the Hokies. [5]
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 286 lb (130 kg) | 33 in (0.84 m) | 9+7⁄8 in (0.25 m) | 4.87 s | 1.65 s | 2.83 s | ||||||
All values from Pro Day [8] |
After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Payne signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. [9] Payne was also selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL during the third round of the 2024 UFL draft, but chose not to sign with them. [10]
He was waived by the Texans with an injury designation on July 17, 2024. [11] [12] On August 12, the Texans re-signed Payne. [13] He was waived on August 27. [14]
On December 10, 2024, the Indianapolis Colts signed Payne to their practice squad. [15] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025. [16]
Payne is the son of Phelton and Johnnetta Payne. [3] In fifth grade, Payne won a Pop Warner National Championship. [4]
Justin Lee Hamilton is an American football coach and former player who is the assistant defensive backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech and also served as their defensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021.
Aaron Roosevelt Rouse is an American politician and former professional football player. A member of the Democratic Party, Rouse represents the 22nd district in the Senate of Virginia. He previously served on the Virginia Beach City Council. Rouse played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL) and United Football League (UFL).
Brandon Lee Frye is an American former professional football offensive tackle. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech.
Tyrod Diallo Taylor is an American professional football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Darren Evans is an American former professional football running back. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Virginia Tech.
Key'vantanie "Keke" Coutee is an American football wide receiver for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Texas Tech and has played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.
Ryan Anthony Izzo is an American professional football tight end for the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Florida State, and was selected by the New England Patriots in the 2018 NFL draft.
Tim Settle is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Jordan Malik Thomas is an American professional football tight end for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Mississippi State as a tight end and was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Adrian Martinez is an American professional football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers. He also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL) in 2024, leading the league in rushing yards, as well as making the All-UFL team, earning season MVP, championship game MVP, and winning the 2024 UFL Championship.
Kahalekuiokalani Michael Wodehouse Warring is an American professional football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at San Diego State and was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft.
Joseph David Slye is an American professional football placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech and signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 2019. Slye has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He holds the Commanders franchise record for longest field goal at 61 yards. He also holds the Patriots record for longest field goal at 63 yards.
Amari Jai Rodgers is an American professional football wide receiver for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. He has also played for the Houston Texans.
Dalton Keene is an American professional football tight end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech.
Khalil Davis is an American professional football defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Nebraska. He has been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, Birmingham Stallions, and Houston Texans.
Thakarius "BoPete" Keyes is an American football cornerback for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Tulane, and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns.
Larry Rountree III is an American professional football running back for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Missouri.
Tavante Beckett is an American football linebacker for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech and Marshall.
JoJo Domann is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Lecitus Smith is an American professional football guard for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech.