July 22, 2024. Charlotte, NC, USA. Florida State defensive end Patrick Payton speaks to the media during the ACC Kickoff at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Patrick Payton, the consensus leading rusher at the transfer gate, committed to LSU on Saturday, according to multiple media reports.
Payton is leaving Florida State with one year of eligibility remaining.
He adds to a strong transfer load with the Tigers, a group that includes former Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane plus two wide receivers, Barion Brown (ex-Kentucky) and Nic Anderson (ex-Oklahoma).
LSU also added two more edge rushers, Jack Pyburn (ex-Florida) and Jimari Butler (ex-Nebraska).
Payton, a Miami native, recorded 35 tackles (11 for losses) and four sacks this season.
In 2022, Payton was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year after he had 31 tackles and five sacks. Over the last three seasons with the Seminoles, he had 110 tackles, 31.5 for a loss, 16 sacks and 13 passes defensed.
LSU (8-4) is set to face Baylor in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 31. The Tigers had a three-game late season losing streak before rebounding to close the regular season with wins over Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.
–Within field level
