LSU lands FSU transfer DE Patrick Payton

Field Level Media|published: 12/22/2024, 12:48am EST

Jul 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State defensive end Patrick Payton speaks to the media during ACC Kickoff at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Patrick Payton, the consensus top edge rusher in the transfer portal, committed to LSU on Saturday, according to multiple media reports.

Payton is leaving Florida State with a year of eligibility remaining.

He adds to a strong transfer haul joining the Tigers, a group that includes former Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane plus two wide receivers, Barion Brown (formerly of Kentucky) and Nic Anderson (formerly of Oklahoma).

LSU also added two more edge rushers, Jack Pyburn (formerly of Florida) and Jimari Butler (formerly of Nebraska).

Payton, a Miami native, recorded 35 tackles (11 for loss) and four sacks this season.

In 2022, Payton was named the Atlantic Coast Conference's Defensive Rookie of the Year after he had 31 tackles and five sacks. Across the past three seasons with the Seminoles, he produced 110 tackles, 31.5 for 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 late-season, three-game losing streak before rebounding to close the regular season with wins over Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.

--Field Level Media