Miami Hurricanes

AT MIAMI: Gifted runner who provides a rare combination of skills…will compete for the starting job at tailback after playing both tailback and fullback in his Miami career...provides a complete package of skills...large frame with a 300+-pound bench press...entering his fifth full season of organized football...spent his first two years at St. Viator on the varsity soccer team, where he led the team to a third-place finish at the state championship in his final season…son of the late Walter Payton, former Chicago Bears running back and member of the NFL Hall of Fame.

2001 (SOPHOMORE): Returned to action after missing all of spring practice with a foot injury suffered when he cut his foot on coral while scuba diving…saw extensive action as a third-year sophomore, moving to fullback from tailback…was a potent threat at fullback behind starter Najeh Davenport…played in eight games during the regular season and gained 26 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns…caught three passes for 19 yards…scored touchdowns against Rutgers and Troy State.

2000 (REDSHIRT): Sat out the season with a redshirt year…decision to sit out the season was not medically related…suited up for several games and made three road trips, but did not see playing time.

1999 (FRESHMAN): Saw action in seven games...rose to second-team on the depth chart at various points during the season...rushed for 262 yards on 53 carries for a 4.9 average...rushed for one touchdown and had a long of 40 yards...totaled six catches for 48 yards (8.0 average) with a long of 29 yards...returned two kickoffs for 44 yards with a long of 25 yards...finished fifth on the team in total offense with 37.4 yards per game...rushed nine times for 32 yards in his first collegiate action against Florida A&M...carried three times for 11 yards at East Carolina...had a key 25-yard kick return at Boston College...rushed a career-high 20 times for 87 yards against Rutgers...also had three catches for nine yards against the Scarlet Knights...earned Compaq's Most Inspirational Play of the Week for his 16-yard touchdown run against Rutgers...netted 51 yards on 11 carries and two catches for five yards against Syracuse...posted a career-long run of 40 yards against Temple...finished the game with 115 yards of total offense on 81 yards rushing (nine carries) and 34 yards receiving (two catches).

NFL Man of the Year

Walter Payton

History 2000 Winner 1999 Winner