3 Days 'till Kickoff - #3 Fred Payne

It's now 3 days until kickoff of Catamount football at the Raymond James Stadium, home of the University of South Florida Bulls on August 30th in in Tampa, FL.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight a defensive back.

#3 Fred Payne

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Gainesville, Ga.
High School: Gainesville HS
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 185
Position: DB



2013 (Freshman): Played in all 12 games on the season with one appearance in the starting lineup coming at Chattanooga ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Middle Tennessee State, tallying his first career tackle ... Credited with 11 seasonal tackles including seven solo stops ... Recorded a career-high four tackles twice including four at Chattanooga and at Appalachian State ... Tallied his first career interception against SEC-foe, Auburn, picking off a Jeremy Johnson pass over the middle, pulling it away from the receiver ... Also recovered a fumble against the Tigers ... Named to the 2013-14 Southern Conference Honor Roll ... Blocked a field goal attempt during WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: A four-year varsity letter winner, credited with 360 career tackles with 14 interceptions and a quarterback sack ... Was a two-time first team All-Area selection and earned All-State in his final season ... As a senior, posted a career-high 121 tackles and five INTs while also catching five passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns ... Had a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD against Apalachee High ... Returned an interception 72 yards and a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown in a state playoff game ... Additionally tallied five receptions for 296 yards and four receiving touchdowns in his final season as a prep ... Finished with a career-best 136 total tackles including 88 solo stops as a junior ... Listed as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com.

Personal: Full name is Fredtavious Diquan Payne ... Is the son of Anita Harrison, grandmother Edith Williams and aunt, Crystal Wilmont ... Has two siblings - Anika Carrington and Nikita Payne ... His cousin, A.J. Johnson, plays football at Tennessee ... Worked as a mentor and volunteered with local elementary schools and the Boys & Girls Club.

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations