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: | Guinea |
19 November 1998 ||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||
Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||
High school: | Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, Rhode Island), U.S. | ||||||||||
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 in a refugee camp because of 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 2021 NFL draft.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Kwity Paye was born on November 19, 1998. His mother was from Liberia and gave birth to him in a refugee camp in Guinea. This was after the First Liberian Civil War. She named him Kwity after his grandfather, who died during 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, Kwity and his brother 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. However, he later decided to play for the University of Michigan.
College Football Journey
Kwity Paye started playing for the Michigan Wolverines in 2017. In his first year, he played in nine games. He made five tackles and had one sack. As a sophomore in 2018, he started four games. He recorded 29 tackles and two sacks.
In 2019, during his junior year, Kwity started 11 games. He had a great season with 50 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He returned to Michigan for his senior year in 2020. However, the season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He played in four games that year.
Professional Career in the NFL
The Indianapolis Colts picked Kwity Paye in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. He was the 21st player chosen overall. He signed his first professional contract on May 6, 2021.
Rookie Season and Achievements
In his first year, 2021, Kwity had a strong start. He recorded four sacks and 32 total tackles. He also defended one pass and forced one fumble. Because of his excellent performance, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. This team recognizes the best new players in the NFL.
Continuing Success
In the 2022 season, Kwity played in 13 games. He continued to show his skills, finishing with six sacks and 45 total tackles.
In 2023, Kwity started 16 games for the Colts. He made 52 tackles and was second on the team with 8.5 sacks. This showed his growing importance to the team's defense.
In 2024, the Colts decided to keep Kwity Paye for an extra year. They used an option in his contract to extend him through the 2025 season.