2025 Football Roster
Pierce, Payton
Jersey Number 26
Payton Pierce
- Position:
- Linebacker
- Height:
- 6-2
- Weight:
- 223
- Hometown:
- Lucas, Texas
- Last School:
- Lovejoy
- Year:
- Sophomore
Bio
Ohio State Overview
• Payton is a true sophomore who has three seasons of eligibility
• He earned his first Varsity O letter in 2024, playing in 14 games for a total of 149 snaps
• Most of his playing time was on special teams, but he did play on defense in five games and he did record four tackles
• Is majoring in communication and is an OSU Scholar-Athlete
Honors & Awards
2024: OSU Scholar-Athlete
More on Payton
• Payton was part of the 2024 Ohio State recruiting class
• He enrolled in classes in January and continued his rehabilitation on a high school injury
• Payton was a four-star prospect and a national top-200 rated player in the 2024 class.
• A finalist for the High School Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top prep linebacker
• In 14 games as a senior, finished with 181 tackles, 40.0 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks
• Added four forced fumbles and two blocked kicks
• Named the District 7 5A Most Valuable Player
• Earned Dallas Morning News’ Defensive Player of the Week honors after a 22-tackle performance that included 4.5 tackles-for-loss in a playoff win over the top-ranked team in the state
• Was just as productive as a junior, collecting 131 tackles, 21.0 tackles-for-loss, six sacks and five forced fumbles
• Selected to play in the 2024 All-American Bowl on Jan. 4 in San Antonio
• Parents are Jamie and Geno Pierce
• Payton is a true sophomore who has three seasons of eligibility
• He earned his first Varsity O letter in 2024, playing in 14 games for a total of 149 snaps
• Most of his playing time was on special teams, but he did play on defense in five games and he did record four tackles
• Is majoring in communication and is an OSU Scholar-Athlete
Honors & Awards
2024: OSU Scholar-Athlete
More on Payton
• Payton was part of the 2024 Ohio State recruiting class
• He enrolled in classes in January and continued his rehabilitation on a high school injury
• Payton was a four-star prospect and a national top-200 rated player in the 2024 class.
• A finalist for the High School Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top prep linebacker
• In 14 games as a senior, finished with 181 tackles, 40.0 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks
• Added four forced fumbles and two blocked kicks
• Named the District 7 5A Most Valuable Player
• Earned Dallas Morning News’ Defensive Player of the Week honors after a 22-tackle performance that included 4.5 tackles-for-loss in a playoff win over the top-ranked team in the state
• Was just as productive as a junior, collecting 131 tackles, 21.0 tackles-for-loss, six sacks and five forced fumbles
• Selected to play in the 2024 All-American Bowl on Jan. 4 in San Antonio
• Parents are Jamie and Geno Pierce
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