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VJ 
Payne

S
#7
|
KSU Wildcats
6'3"
208lbs
Sr.
Draft Eligibility:
2026
Overall Grade '25
73.3
238th/914 - Ss
Snap Count '25
722
101st/2322 - Ss
Interceptions '25
1
249th/914 - Ss
CC WK MATCHUP
-
VJ
Payne
S
#7
|
KSU Wildcats
BIO
GRADES
SEASON STATS
Mock Draft Simulator

Summary Bio

Last updated: 4/3/2026
VJ Payne is a safety for the Kansas State Wildcats who earned a 73.3 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 238th among 914 qualified safeties. His PFF coverage grade of 74.1 ranked 227th among 914 qualified safeties. His run-defense grade of 70.5 ranked 406th at the position.
He recorded 1 interceptions on the season. Payne broke up 3 passes in coverage. He allowed a 57.4 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks. He surrendered 17 receptions in coverage. He also contributed 54 solo tackles in run support and open-field situations.

Career

Teams
Year
Kansas State Wildcats
2022 - Present

PFF Grades

2025
Regular
Players receive a ranking if they qualify 25% of the maximum targets, run attempts or dropbacks at the position (depending on the metric).
OVERALL GRADE
73.3
AVG
238th/914 Ss
COVERAGE GRADE
74.1
AVG
227th/914 Ss
PASS RUSH GRADE
51.3
AVG
799th/914 Ss
RUN DEFENSE GRADE
70.5
AVG
406th/914 Ss

Highest Graded Games

vsFLCE
77.6
Week 5, 2025
vsTXCU
75.5
Week 7, 2025
vsNCST
75.1
Week BG, 2023

Lowest Graded Games

vsIAST
32.4
Week 13, 2023
vsKSUN
41.6
Week 9, 2024
@LATU
45.5
Week 2, 2024

Grades by Game

View in Premium Stats
Premium Stats

Season Stats

2025
Regular
Players receive a ranking if they qualify 25% of the maximum targets, run attempts or dropbacks at the position (depending on the metric).
SOLO TACKLES
54
147th/914 Ss
INTERCEPTIONS
1
249th/914 Ss
TOTAL PRESSURES
3
215th/914 Ss
RECEPTIONS ALLOWED
17
325th/914 Ss

Defense

View in Premium Stats
Rank
147
th
Solo Tackles
54
281
st
Assists
13
82
nd
Forced Fumbles
1
260
th
Stops
16
251
st
Sacks
0
395
th
Missed Tackles
8
249
th
Interceptions
1
794
th
Passer Rating Allowed
57.4
725
th
Yards per Reception Allowed
9.3
215
th
Total Pressures
3
149
th
PBUs
3
325
th
Receptions Allowed
17

Snaps

View in Premium Stats
Rank
101
st
Total Snaps
722
85
th
Run Defense Snaps
339
377
th
Pass Rush Snaps
9
152
nd
Coverage Snaps
374