Rico Payton

Agreed to terms with New Orleans Saints, 4/27/24…Spent final four college seasons at Pittsburg State (Kan.) after starting career at Southern Illinois

Agreed to terms with New Orleans Saints, 4/27/24…Spent final four college seasons at Pittsburg State (Kan.) after starting career at Southern Illinois…In 2023, team captain recorded 35 tackles with four interceptions and 15 passes defensed. Made four tackles, two interceptions and three passes defensed in win over Central Oklahoma…In 2022, Started eight of the 13 games played in and posted 14 tackles (11 solo) with four passes defensed and one fumble recovery to earn All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association honors…Started two of the nine games played in 2021 and posted 12 tackles (eight solo), an interception and six passes defensed…Opted out of 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic shortened season)…Played in all 11 games, including two starts, in 2019. Had 14 tackles (11 solo), 1.5 stops for loss and four passes defensed…Redshirted for Southern Illinois in 2018…Graduated with a bachelor's degree in recreation services, sport and hospitality with a minor in coaching…A Missouri Class 6A All-State and All-Conference and All-District performer as a senior at Lindbergh (St. Louis, Mo.) HS…Set a school record for single-season touchdowns (29)...Also set a record for most rushing touchdowns in a season (18)...Led his team to an 11-2 record as a senior...All-Conference basketball player and state qualifier in track & field...Earned a gold certificate for a 4.0 GPA as a junior…Born on November 28, 1999 in St. Louis, Mo.