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LSU expected to add former Florida State edge Patrick Payton, per report
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LSU is expected to land a transfer pledge from former Florida State edge rusher Patrick Payton, according to multiple reports.
Payton is regarded as one of the top defensive players in the transfer portal this offseason. He spent 4 years in Tallahassee and was a contributor on 3 different Florida State teams. He’ll join LSU with 1 season of eligibility remaining. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz was the first to report the news on Saturday.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound defender was a dynamo in 2023 while playing opposite future NFL Draft pick Jared Verse. As the Seminoles went 13-1 to win the ACC, Payton recorded 15 tackles for loss and 7 sacks.
He also had 31 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 5 sacks in 2022 to earn the ACC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Payton will arrive in Baton Rouge with 110 career tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 13 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked kick in 39 career appearances.
The Tigers will be looking to replace Bradyn Swinson, Sai’vion Jones, and Da’Shawn Womack this offseason. Position coach Kevin Peoples and head coach Brian Kelly have wasted no time reloading the edge position this month, landing commitments from Florida’s Jack Pyburn and Nebraska’s Jimari Butler.
Payton will also rejoin former teammate Destyn Hill, who committed to transfer to LSU earlier this week. The Tigers’ transfer class is currently 13-deep and ranks second in the 247 Composite.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
