Rico Payton Bio
Rico Payton III (born November 28, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 183 pounds, he wears jersey number 36 and plays at cornerback, a defensive back position in the secondary. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and later joined the Giants. He played college football for the Southern Illinois Salukis and the Pittsburg State Gorillas, building a reputation as a ball-hawking defensive back.
Rico Payton Early Life and Background
Rico Payton III was born on November 28, 1999, in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in the surrounding metropolitan area. He grew up in St. Louis, where he developed an early passion for football that shaped his childhood and teenage years. He attended Lindbergh High School in Sappington, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, where he emerged as a two-way player on the gridiron.
At Lindbergh, Payton lined up at both wide receiver and cornerback, showcasing the speed, hands, and tackling ability that would later define his professional profile. As a senior in 2017, he helped Lindbergh reach the district championship and earned first-team all-state honors at defensive back along with second-team all-state recognition as a return specialist. That season he caught 41 passes for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns, ran for 836 yards and 17 touchdowns, and added 30 tackles with three interceptions on defense.
Following his decorated high school career, Payton committed to play college football for the Southern Illinois Salukis of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. His combination of offensive explosiveness and defensive instincts drew attention from college recruiters, setting the stage for his transition to the next level.
Rico Payton Path to American Football
Payton redshirted his freshman year at Southern Illinois in 2018, preserving a year of eligibility while he adjusted to the speed and physicality of college football. Seeking more playing time, he transferred to the NCAA Division II Pittsburg State Gorillas in 2019, joining one of the more competitive programs at that level.
At Pittsburg State, Payton quickly developed into a reliable defensive contributor. In his first season with the Gorillas in 2019, he played in all 11 games, including two starts, recording 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and four pass breakups. He opted out of the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic, then returned in 2021 and 2022 to post steady production in the secondary.
His senior year in 2023 proved to be his breakout campaign. Payton started 13 games and tallied 35 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, 16 pass breakups, and four interceptions. He was named first-team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), served as team captain, earned second-team Division II All-American recognition from the American Football Coaches Association, and was a nominee for the Cliff Harris Award given to the top small-college defensive player.
Rico Payton Career
Early Career (2018–2023)
Payton’s early career spanned his time at Southern Illinois and Pittsburg State, where he transformed from a raw redshirt into a polished, award-winning defensive back. Across his five collegiate seasons, he appeared in 35 games and finished with 64 tackles (46 solo), 26 passes defended, and five interceptions.
He played in all 11 games in 2019, made 12 tackles in 2021 with six pass breakups and an interception, and started eight of 13 games in 2022 while totaling 14 tackles, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. He was a second-team All-MIAA selection in 2022, a year before his first-team recognition, indicating steady year-over-year growth.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Payton signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He impressed the Saints’ coaching staff during training camp and the preseason, earning a spot on the team’s 53-man roster for the 2024 regular season.
Payton’s first NFL season gave him a foothold in the league, even as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of professional schemes. Through the 2024 campaign, he contributed on defense and special teams, building the foundation that would later attract another opportunity.
New York Giants Era (2025–Present)
On August 26, 2025, Payton was waived by the New Orleans Saints with an injury designation as part of final roster cuts. The very next day, August 27, 2025, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, giving him a fresh start in a new organization.
Payton was placed on injured reserve two days after joining the Giants, sidelining him for the early portion of the 2025 season. He was activated on November 1, 2025, ahead of the team’s Week 9 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, marking his return to game action. In his early appearances with the Giants, he registered tackles and pass deflections while adjusting to a new defensive system.
Driving Style and Strengths
Payton is known for his ball skills, instincts in coverage, and willingness to support the run. He reads quarterbacks well, breaks on routes quickly, and competes aggressively at the catch point, traits that helped him record 26 passes defended and five interceptions in college.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Payton’s career include his first-team All-MIAA and second-team AFCA Division II All-American honors in 2023, his nomination for the Cliff Harris Award, his transition from undrafted free agent to active NFL cornerback, and his midseason activation by the Giants in November 2025.
Rico Payton Career Wins
As a defensive player, Payton’s statistical milestones are measured in tackles, interceptions, and pass breakups rather than traditional wins. Through his first NFL seasons, he has recorded 23 total tackles and 2 pass deflections, according to his career NFL statistics.
Professional Highlights
Payton made the New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster in 2024 as an undrafted free agent, an achievement in itself. In 2025, after being claimed by the New York Giants, he was activated ahead of the Week 9 game against the San Francisco 49ers, marking his first active roster appearance with his new team.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his NFL résumé, Payton was a first-team All-MIAA selection, a second-team AFCA Division II All-American, and a Cliff Harris Award nominee during his 2023 campaign at Pittsburg State. He was also a second-team All-MIAA pick in 2022 and a team captain in his final collegiate season.
Rico Payton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Payton’s parents, siblings, or extended family have not been publicly confirmed in verified sources. He carries the suffix III in his name, indicating a family tradition of the name being passed down across generations, though further details on his immediate family are not available.
Personal Life
Rico Payton III keeps his personal life largely private, and verified public information about a spouse or children has not been disclosed. Off the field, he is recognized by his full name and remains focused on establishing himself as a long-term NFL cornerback.
2025 Season Performance
Payton’s 2025 season began with uncertainty after the New Orleans Saints waived him with an injury designation on August 26. His fortunes changed quickly when the New York Giants claimed him off waivers the following day, offering him a chance to compete in a new defensive environment.
After a brief stint on injured reserve, Payton was activated on November 1, 2025, ahead of the Giants’ Week 9 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. He contributed defensively in the weeks that followed, posting tackles and pass deflections while earning the trust of the coaching staff and settling into his role in the secondary.
Looking ahead, Payton will look to build on his late-season momentum and secure a more permanent role in the Giants’ defensive rotation. With his ball-hawking instincts, coverage experience, and special teams value, he has positioned himself as a developmental piece to watch as the 2025 season progresses and into the following offseason.
