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Former ACC Rookie of the Year to Enter Transfer Portal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Dec 18, 2024 3:24 PM ET

Another highly-touted defender will test the transfer portal waters after announcing his intensions to play elsewhere on Wednesday.

Florida State defensive lineman Patrick Payton added his name to the growing list of Seminoles to enter the transfer portal this winter, according to On3. The former ACC Rookie of the Year saw a drop in production this season, as FSU put together a disappointing 2-10 year.

Payton, a former four-star, flipped from Nebraska to the Seminoles late in the 2021 recruiting cycle. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound EDGE signed as the No. 15 linebacker and the No. 155 recruit in his class (247Sports).

Payton got off to a hot start in Tallahassee with 5.0 sacks and 31 tackles as a redshirt freshman. The Northwestern High School (Miami, Florida) product was even better in 2023, racking up 44 total tackles (14.5 for loss), 7.0 sacks, 10 pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Payton entered the 2024 season as one of the top pass rushers in the ACC and appeared to be on a promising path to the NFL draft as a redshirt junior. But as FSU struggled, Payton's production dropped.

He totaled 35 tackles (11 for loss), 4.0 sacks and no pass breakups or forced fumbles in 12 games this season. With one season of eligibility remaining, Payton will try to revive his draft stock elsewhere.

Mike Norvell's Seminoles have already lost a slew of transfers, 17 to be exact, in the winter window. Former five-star EDGE Marvin Jones Jr. is also looking to depart.

The good news for FSU is the portal works both ways, and Norvell and company have added four players in that aspect thus far. Nebraska EDGE transfer James Williams could help make up for the loss of Payton, among others.

The winter window will range through Dec. 28, with the final window of the 2025 cycle lasting from April 16-25.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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