Donald Payne Bio
Donald Payne, born on July 12, 1994, in Fayetteville, Georgia, is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Stetson University and was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2017, becoming the first player from Stetson to reach the NFL. Over the course of his career, he has also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Washington Football Team, the Miami Dolphins, and the San Francisco 49ers.
Payne stands 6 feet tall and has played at roughly 229 pounds throughout his professional career. A respected defensive leader, he has earned recognition at every level he has played, from the Pioneer Football League to the USFL and the XFL. His career reflects steady perseverance across multiple professional football leagues in the United States.
Early Life and Background
Donald Payne grew up in Fayetteville, Georgia, in the greater Atlanta area. He attended Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia, where he developed into a standout football prospect. His combination of size, speed, and tackling ability made him one of the more decorated high school linebackers in the region during his prep years.
Coming out of high school, Payne drew attention from several college programs. He chose to play at Stetson University, an FCS program in DeLand, Florida, where he could compete early and develop as a leader on defense. His decision to attend Stetson laid the foundation for one of the most productive careers in the history of the program and the Pioneer Football League.
Path to American Football
Payne quickly made his mark at Stetson, earning the 2013 Pioneer Football League Defensive Freshman of the Year award in his first season. His relentless play at the linebacker position established him as a building block for the Hatters’ defense. By his sophomore year, he had become one of the most productive tacklers in all of college football.
During his sophomore season in 2014, Payne led the entire NCAA with 185 total tackles. In a single game against Campbell University that same year, he tied an all-time all-division NCAA record with 30 total tackles. That performance set the tone for what became a record-setting college tenure, and he continued to dominate at the FCS level across his final two seasons. By the time he left Stetson, he had been named a three-time FCS All-American and a three-time Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first PFL athlete to win that award three times.
Donald Payne Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Donald Payne entered the NFL when he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017, becoming the first Stetson player ever to make an NFL roster. The Ravens waived him on September 2, 2017, but he was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars the next day. With Jacksonville, he carved out a role on special teams and finished his rookie season third in the NFL in special teams tackles with 16, even as the Jaguars reached the AFC Championship Game.
Payne’s 2018 season with the Jaguars was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on October 25, 2018, due to a knee injury. He was activated off injured reserve on December 28, 2018, and the Jaguars waived him in May 2019. Despite the injury, his early production on special teams gave him a foothold in the league.
NFL Journeyman Years (2019–2021)
After his first stint in Jacksonville, Payne returned to the Baltimore Ravens in August 2019, only to be waived and moved to the practice squad before being released in early September. He rejoined the Jaguars in October 2019, where he enjoyed his most productive NFL season. Playing in nine games with five starts, he recorded 61 tackles, a sack, a pass defense, and a fumble recovery, including a team-high 13 tackles and a sack of Jameis Winston in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2020, Payne signed with the Washington Football Team and was briefly on the practice squad before his release. He then joined the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in November 2020 for a short stint. In August 2021, he signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, though he was released shortly thereafter. Across his NFL career, he accumulated 76 total tackles, one sack, and two fumble recoveries.
Spring League Stardom (2022–2023)
Payne’s career reached new heights in the spring football leagues. He was selected by the Houston Gamblers in the inaugural 2022 USFL draft and immediately became one of the league’s most dominant defenders. He was named USFL Defensive Player of the Week twice, in Weeks 7 and 10, and finished the 2022 season as the USFL tackles leader with 117 tackles in 10 games. His play earned him a spot on the inaugural All-USFL Team Defense.
In January 2023, the Arlington Renegades selected Payne in the third round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft. After a brief placement on the reserve list, he returned to the field and helped lead the Renegades to the 2023 XFL Championship, where they defeated the D.C. Defenders 35–26. He re-signed with the team in January 2024 and again in October 2024 as the franchise transitioned to the UFL and rebranded as the Dallas Renegades.
Dallas Renegades Era (2024–Present)
Payne continued his strong play into the UFL era with the Dallas Renegades. In Week 9 of the 2025 UFL season, he recorded 7 tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup, earning UFL Defensive Player of the Week honors. His leadership on the field and consistency in run support have made him a centerpiece of the Renegades’ defense. He remains active and continues to be one of the most respected linebackers in spring professional football.
Driving Style and Strengths
Payne is widely recognized for his instincts, tackling efficiency, and high football IQ. He diagnoses plays quickly, attacks downhill against the run, and shows reliable coverage skills in the passing game. His relentless motor and special teams background give him a complete skill set, and his leadership has been a defining trait at every stop of his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career milestones, Donald Payne became the first Stetson player to sign with an NFL team, tied an all-time all-division NCAA record with 30 tackles in a single game in 2014, led the NCAA in tackles that same year, won an XFL Championship in 2023, and was inducted into the Stetson University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. His USFL tackles title and two Defensive Player of the Week awards further highlight his sustained excellence.
Donald Payne Career Wins
Across his career, Donald Payne has built a strong résumé of team and individual successes. His most significant team win came in the 2023 XFL Championship Game, when the Arlington Renegades defeated the D.C. Defenders 35–26. He has also contributed to multiple playoff pushes and postseason runs, most notably with the 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars, who advanced to the AFC Championship Game.
League Highlights
Payne’s 2022 USFL season with the Houston Gamblers was a career breakthrough, as he led the league with 117 tackles in 10 games and earned All-USFL honors. He was named USFL Defensive Player of the Week twice, in Weeks 7 and 10. In the XFL, he was part of the championship-winning Renegades squad in 2023 and continued producing in the UFL in 2024 and 2025, including a Defensive Player of the Week nod in Week 9 of the 2025 season.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Payne was a three-time FCS All-American and a three-time Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year. He led the NCAA in tackles in 2014 with 185, recorded 538 career tackles, 14 sacks, and 9 interceptions at Stetson, and ranks third in Division I history for career tackles. He was inducted into the Stetson University Athletics Hall of Fame on October 29, 2022.
Donald Payne Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Donald Payne was raised in the Fayetteville, Georgia, area and attended Landmark Christian School in nearby Fairburn. He comes from a supportive family background that helped him pursue his football career from an early age.
Personal Life
Donald Payne maintains an active presence on social media, where he is known to his followers under the handle associated with his Twitter and Instagram accounts. He continues to focus on his professional football career with the Dallas Renegades.
2025 Season Performance
Donald Payne has remained a defensive anchor for the Dallas Renegades in the 2025 UFL season. In Week 9, he recorded 7 tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup, performances that earned him UFL Defensive Player of the Week honors. His veteran presence has been a stabilizing force for a defense looking to build on the 2023 XFL Championship foundation.
Across the season, Payne has continued to produce at a high level in both run defense and pass coverage, drawing on the experience he built across the NFL and the USFL. His ability to read opposing offenses and deliver consistent tackling production has been a key storyline for the Renegades’ defense in 2025. With the season still unfolding, his leadership and on-field production figure to remain central to the team’s outlook.