Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons²

VJ Payne

Safety, New York Jets · #34.

Player facts

Team: New York Jets
Position: Safety
Number: 34
Born: Apr 17, 2004 (age 22)
Birthplace: Gainesville, GA, USA
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 206 lbs
College: Kansas State
Experience: Rookie
Status: Day-To-Day

About

Victor "VJ" Payne (born March 17, 2004) is an American professional football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats and was selected by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft.

From Wikipedia’s article on VJ Payne, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.¹

Background

Early life

Payne attended Buford High School in Buford, Georgia. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Kansas State Wildcats.

College career

As a freshman in 2022, Payne played in all 14 games and made four starts, including in the Big 12 Championship Game and the Sugar Bowl. In 2023, he recorded 57 tackles and an interception. In 2024, Payne started all 13 games, where he totaled 64 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, four pass deflections, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles, earning honorable mention all-Big 12 honors. He earned an invitation to participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.

From Wikipedia’s article on VJ Payne, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article.¹