Fred Payne

2015 (Junior): Started all 11 games in which he saw action in the defensive secondary … Finished third on the team with 75 total tackles including 22 solo stops and five tackles for loss … Recorded a sack at Texas A&M (Nov. 14) … Ranked tied for 14th in the SoCon with a 6.8 tackle per game average, posting at least two-or-more tackles in every outing … Tallied a pair of double-digit tackle games including 12 in the home win over Mercer (Oct. 10) and a career-high 15 tackles in the road win at VMI (Nov. 21) … Credited with two fumbles forced — one and a fumble recovery at The Citadel (Sept. 12) and one forced against Furman (Nov. 7) … Broke up a pair of passes, both coming against SEC-foe, Texas A&M.

2014 (Sophomore): Started all 12 games in the defensive secondary between cornerback and safety … Was fifth on the WCU squad with 68 total tackles including 33 solo stops and one TFL … Charted tackles in each game with three-or-more hits recorded in 11 of the 12 games on the year … Tallied a then career-high nine tackles three times during the season including at home against The Citadel (Oct. 25) and Chattanooga (Nov. 1) and again at top-ranked Alabama (Nov. 22) … Recorded five pass break-ups … Made his first career interception at Furman (Sept. 27), returning the pick 11 yards … Named to the 2014 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team and to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll … Playing for the Purple squad, recorded four tackles in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2013 (Freshman): Played in all 12 games on the season with one appearance in the starting lineup coming at Chattanooga … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Middle Tennessee State, tallying his first career tackle … Credited with 11 seasonal tackles including seven solo stops … Recorded a then career-high four tackles twice including four at Chattanooga and at Appalachian State … Tallied his first career interception against SEC-foe, Auburn, picking off a Jeremy Johnson pass over the middle, pulling it away from the receiver … Also recovered a fumble against the Tigers … Named to the 2013-14 Southern Conference Honor Roll … Blocked a field goal attempt during WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: A four-year varsity letter winner, credited with 360 career tackles with 14 interceptions and a quarterback sack … Was a two-time first team All-Area selection and earned All-State in his final season … As a senior, posted a career-high 121 tackles and five INTs while also catching five passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns … Had a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD against Apalachee High … Returned an interception 72 yards and a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown in a state playoff game … Additionally tallied five receptions for 296 yards and four receiving touchdowns in his final season as a prep … Finished with a career-best 136 total tackles including 88 solo stops as a junior … Listed as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com.

Personal: Full name is Fredtavious Diquan Payne … Is the son of Anita Harrison, grandmother Edith Williams and aunt, Crystal Wilmont … Has two siblings – Anika Carrington and Nikita Payne … His cousin, A.J. Johnson, plays football at Tennessee … Worked as a mentor and volunteered with local elementary schools and the Boys & Girls Club.

Payne has ‘Diamond in the Rough’ written all over him but do not let the small school tag fool yah, this is a legit prospect. He possesses good size and an excellent ability to jump routes and make plays.

Athletic frame with ability to add bulk and shows good short-area burst and recovery speed. He anticipates the timing of the ball very well and plays with good swagger and physicality. The type of player where an offense identifies early in a game on who to avoid.

Led Western Carolina in tackles (87), tackles-for-loss (5.5) and interceptions (2), Payne is aggressive in his style of play and is always around the football. He has raw ability and natural athletic traits to warrant a look in camp. Canadian Football League would also suit his ability due to his ability to excel in the box.