Patrick Payton working to achieve bigger goals after breakout season

Patrick Payton made a statement to truly start his Florida State career last year. The sophomore defensive lineman out of Miami, Florida made a major impact on the Seminoles and, therefore, picked up plenty of national attention as well on a quality FSU team.

Still, Payton has every intention of improving on the foundation he set last year. He expressed his desire to do so earlier this week following a spring practice in Tallahassee. To him, he knows what he was able to accomplish in 2022 was noteworthy. However, if he wants to reach his ultimate goals, Payton realizes that he has to press on and make his next campaign both bigger and better.

“It was good because, like, I understood last year I was ACC Rookie of the Year and all that. But I’ve got bigger goals,” Payton said. “At the end of the day, it’s the NFL or wherever life takes me. I want to be better in everything I can do. And next year? I don’t want it to be the same as last year. I want it to be way faster, way bigger, way stronger. Playing harder. Just pushing it and laying it all out there.”

Payton was ranked as a four-star prospect and Top-30 linebacker in the 2021 recruiting class. That’s according to the On3 Industry Rankings. From there, he committed to play for the Seminoles and then redshirted his freshman season after appearing in just one contest.

Then, last fall, Payton stepped right into the spotlight. After playing in all 13 games for Florida State, he finished with 31 tackles and five sacks. He also recorded three pass deflections and one forced fumble.

That production earned him his recognition as the ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year. It was just the third time a Seminole has brought home that award and the first time one had done it in a decade.

With all that said, Payton has bigger aspirations than what he did a year ago on the gridiron. He fully expects to post an even better year this upcoming fall in order to help him check off some more of his personal goals. If he keeps this energy and does exactly that then, come 2023, the 12 opponents on Florida State’s schedule better keep a close eye out for him out on the edge for their own sakes.