Career
• Finished his career with 202 tackles, 128 solo, 17.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks.
• Spent first three seasons as second team player before moving into starting role at middle linebacker as a senior.
• Consistent contributor on special teams as well.
2016
• Started all 12 games for the Huskies at middle linebacker.
• Tied for the team lead in tackles with a career-high 81.
• Led the Huskies in solo tackles with 49.
• Tallied 10 or more tackles three times.
• Set his career high with 13 tackles, eight solo, versus Central Michigan (10-15), made 11 stops versus Toledo (11-9), and had 10 at Eastern Michigan (11-16).
• Recorded at least three tackles in every game.
• His three quarterback sacks set a career-high for a season as did his 8.5 tackles for loss.
• Picked off his first career pass versus Buffalo (10-22) and had a pair of sacks with seven tackles versus the Bulls.
• Broke up two passes and registered 1.5 tackles for loss at Ball State (10-1).
• Also had 1.5 tackles for loss and eight tackles in season opener at Wyoming (9-3).
• Posted two tackles for loss among his seven stops versus Bowling Green (10-15).
2015
• Featured in all 14 games as NIU’s top reserve linebacker.
• Finished with 42 total tackles, 26 solo.
• Had a career-high 4.5 tackles for loss.
• Tallied 11 multi-tackle games, including 10 straight to begin the season.
• Had four or more tackles in seven games.
• Started the season with five tackles, two TFLs and a sack in the victory over UNLV (9-5), earning NIU Defensive Player of the Week.
• Posted a career-high seven tackles in the win over Eastern Michigan (10-24) with six solo stops and a TFL.
• Also had TFLs in wins over Murray State (9-12) and Buffalo (11-11).
• Made four stops in key games at Ohio State (9-19) and Toledo (11-3).
2014
• Appeared in all 14 games with one start.
• Earned his only start of the season at middle linebacker in the MAC Championship Game victory over Bowling Green (12-5).
• Finished 10th on the team with 37 tackles, including 26 solo stops.
• Had a career-high six tackles and recovered a fumble in the MAC West clinching win at Western Michigan (11-28).
• Also recovered a fumble at Ball State (11-5).
• Made at least one tackle in 13 games with 10 multi-tackle contests.
• Tallied 1.5 tackles for loss, with a solo TFL vs. Kent State (10-4).
• Big special teams contributor, earning NIU Special Teams Player of the Week three times for his performances in the Central Michigan (10-11), Eastern Michigan (10-25) and Western Michigan (11-28) games.
2013
• True freshman appeared in 11 games and started two at outside linebacker.
• Made 42 tackles, including 27 solo stops, on the season.
• Also broke up three passes and recorded three tackles for loss.
• Made three tackles in his first career appearance at Purdue (9-28).
• Posted five tackles in four consecutive weeks beginning at Kent State (10-5).
• Collected his first career sack versus Western Michigan (11-26).
• Made a key stop late in the Ball State game to stymie a drive.
High School
• Two-time all-state and three-time all-area and all-conference honoree.
• Awarded the team's MVP award as a junior and senior.
• Selected to the Max Emfinger All-American Bowl following the 2012 campaign.
• Posted prep career totals of 375 tackles, 16 forced fumbles, 13 pass breakups, seven interceptions, four blocked kicks and two fumble recoveries in three seasons.
• Named the Player of the Year in the West Suburban Conference's Silver Division while playing running back and linebacker.
• Gained 1,002 yards and scored 25 touchdowns on 150 carries as a senior.
• Added 150 tackles, eight forced fumbles, four passes defensed, two interceptions, two blocked kicks and a fumble recovery as a linebacker in 2012.
• Named the Silver Division's Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 with 125 tackles, five forced fumbles and four interceptions.
• Ran 120 times for 998 yards and 18 touchdowns.
• Rushed for 925 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding 100 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception on defense in 2010.
Personal
• Born Nov. 11, 1994, in Chicago, Ill.
• Son of Rodney and Doris Payton.
• Engineering management major.
PAYTON'S SINGLE GAME CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 11, vs. Toledo, 11-9-16
TFL: 2, twice, last vs. BGSU, 11-1-16
Sacks: 2, vs. Buffalo, 10-22-16
Forced Fumbles: 1, at Kent State, 10-5-13
Fumble Recoveries: 1, twice, last at Western Michigan, 11-28-14
