Daron Payne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Daron Payne

Payne with the Washington Commanders in 2022
No. 94 – Washington Commanders
Position:	Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1997-05-27) May 27, 1997 (age 28) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	320 lb (145 kg)
Career information
High school:	Shades Valley (Irondale, Alabama)
College:	Alabama (2015–2017)
NFL Draft:	2018 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
Career history
Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders (2018–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2022) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2018) 2× CFP national champion (2015, 2017) CFP national championship defensive MVP (2018) Freshman All-American (2015) First-team All-SEC (2017)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Tackles: 386 Sacks: 34 Forced fumbles: 6 Fumble recoveries: 6 Pass deflections: 20 Interceptions: 1
Player stats at PFR

Daron Payne (born May 27, 1997) is an American professional football player. He plays as a defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders in the National Football League (NFL).

Before joining the NFL, Daron played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He helped his team win two national championships in 2015 and 2017. The Washington team chose Daron in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Early Life and High School Football

Daron Payne was born on May 27, 1997, in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in Irondale, Alabama, and went to Shades Valley High School. There, he was a star player on the high school football team.

He was considered one of the best young football players in the country. Daron decided to play college football at the University of Alabama.

College Football Career

Daron started playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2015 as a freshman. He made 13 tackles and had half a sack that year. In 2016, as a sophomore, he had 36 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He played well in the 2017 National Championship Game.

In 2017, during his junior year, Daron was named the best defensive player in two important postseason games. In the Sugar Bowl, he caught an interception and even scored a touchdown! In the National Championship Game against Georgia, he made six tackles. His strong play helped Alabama win their second national championship in three seasons.

After his junior year, Daron decided to enter the NFL draft. He also asked for his name to be spelled "Daron" instead of "Da'Ron," which was a common mistake.

Professional Football Career

Payne sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady in a 2020 playoff game.

The Washington Redskins picked Daron Payne as the 13th overall player in the 2018 NFL draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team. In his first season, he recorded his first career sack. He finished his rookie year with 56 tackles and five sacks. He was also named to the 2018 PFWA All-Rookie Team, which means he was one of the best new players that year.

In the 2020 season, Daron continued to make big plays. He forced a fumble against the San Francisco 49ers, which led to a touchdown for his team. He also got his first career interception against the Seattle Seahawks. That season, he played in many snaps and had 54 tackles, 3 sacks, and an interception. In the playoffs, he even sacked famous quarterback Tom Brady twice!

In 2021, the team decided to keep Daron for another year by using a "fifth-year option" on his contract. This meant he would play for them in the 2022 season. He helped his team win a game against the Carolina Panthers by sacking their quarterback.

The 2022 season was a great one for Daron. He set a new personal best with 11.5 sacks. He also made a key play against the Atlanta Falcons, deflecting a pass that led to an interception and helped his team win. Because of his excellent performance, Daron was chosen for the 2023 Pro Bowl. This is a special game where the best players from the NFL play against each other.

In March 2023, the Commanders signed Daron to a new, long-term contract. He continued to be a strong player for the team.

In the 2024 season, Daron played in all 17 regular season games. He had 42 tackles and four sacks. He also played in the playoffs, even though he had a thumb injury. He helped the Commanders win a playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

NFL Career Statistics