Thursday, July 16, 2015
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

CHICAGO, Ill. – Stetson junior safety Donald Payne was one of 22 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) players named Wednesday to the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List.

Payne, the returning Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year, was one of only six juniors named to the preseason watch list. Being named to the Defensive Player of the Year Watch List is the latest preseason honor for Payne – he was earlier named a STATS FCS Preseason All-America First Team selection. 

The Fayetteville, Georgia, native recorded a PFL record 174 tackles – a FCS best 14.5 per game – during his sophomore campaign, including a league record 30 tackles in a game (vs. Campbell, Nov. 1). Payne also posted 18.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions, four pass break ups, two fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered in a dominating display. He also finished among the FCS Top 20 in solo tackles (1st, 7.8 per game) and tackles for loss per game (18th, 1.5).

Stetson, which begins its third season with a Sept. 5 home contest against Webber International, finished 2014 tied for sixth in the PFL with a 3-5 record while posting a 5-7 overall mark.