The Florida State Seminoles are having a tough week.
Just days after they learned they would not be making the College Football Playoff despite being an undefeated power conference champion, star defensive end Patrick Payton announced he would be entering the transfer portal.
Payton was the 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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Payton excelled this season for the undefeated Seminoles, recording 42 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks (tied for 10th among ACC players). He was named to the All-ACC Team as an Honorable Mention.
The 2022 season saw Payton record 31 tackles with six tackles for loss and five sacks which led to him being named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, the first time a Seminole took home the honor since cornerback Ronald Darby won the award in 2012.
Payton is from the Miami area and committed to Florida State in 2020 as a four-star recruit over the Georgia Bulldogs, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and others. It remains to be seen if he’s looking to stay close to home or is willing to venture out.
The Seminoles will also be losing pass rusher Jared Verse next season, as he’s set to graduate and will likely be heading to the NFL as a projected first-round draft pick, so Florida State now has another spot on the defensive line to replace.
