Kwity Paye facts for kids
Paye with the Michigan Wolverines in 2018
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| No. 51 – Indianapolis Colts | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Defensive end | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | 19 November 1998 Guinea |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, Rhode Island) | ||||||||||
| College: | Michigan (2017–2020) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2021 / Round: 1 / Pick: 21 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Kwity Paye (born November 19, 1998) is a professional American football player. He plays as a defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League (NFL). Kwity was born in Guinea as a refugee during the First Liberian Civil War. He moved to the United States when he was a baby. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines before being chosen by the Colts in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Early Life and Beginnings
Kwity Paye was born on November 19, 1998. His mother was from Liberia. She gave birth to him in a refugee camp in Guinea. This was after the First Liberian Civil War. Kwity's mother named him after his grandfather, who died in the war.
When Kwity was six months old, his mother brought him and his brother, Komotay, to Providence, Rhode Island in the United States. Growing up, both brothers loved American football. Kwity went to Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island. He played both running back and defensive end. In 2016, during his senior year, he was named Rhode Island's Gatorade Football Player of the Year. Kwity first planned to play college football at Boston College. Later, he decided to go to the University of Michigan instead.
College Football Journey
Kwity Paye started playing for the Michigan Wolverines in 2017. As a freshman, he played in nine games. He made five tackles and one sack. In 2018, as a sophomore, he started four games. He had 29 tackles and two sacks that year.
During his junior year in 2019, he started 11 games. He finished the season with 50 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Kwity returned for his senior year in 2020. However, he only played in four games. The season was shorter because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professional NFL Career
The Indianapolis Colts picked Kwity Paye in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. He was the 21st player chosen overall. On May 6, 2021, he signed his first professional contract. It was a four-year deal.
In his first season as a rookie, he played well. He had four sacks and 32 total tackles. He also defended one pass and forced one fumble. Because of his great performance, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In the 2022 season, Kwity played in 13 games. He recorded six sacks and 45 total tackles. In 2023, he started 16 games. He made 52 tackles and had 8.5 sacks, which was the second-highest on his team. In 2024, the Colts decided to keep Kwity for an extra year. This means he will play for them through the 2025 season.
