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Hard Work Pays Off For Payne

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By EDDIE DANIELS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - As the 2007 National Football League season evolved, former Land O' Lakes receiver Logan Payne would admire his work.

He would watch the Seattle Seahawks' starting defensive backs with interest on Sundays. If they performed well, he knew he had done his job.

As an undrafted free agent playing on the practice squad last season, it was his and the other practice squad players' responsibility to prepare the starting defense for what they would face from the upcoming opponent.

"It is gratifying when you work all week trying to get the defense ready and they go out and ... I think our defense allowed the least amount of touchdowns passes last year. I hung my hat on that, even though I'm not on defense," Payne said. "I got them ready every day to play."

The team allowed just 15 touchdowns through the air.

Now, it will be someone else's job to prepare Payne, 23, for what he will see from opposing defenses. Payne, who entered the fray of the NFL after wrapping up four seasons at the University of Minnesota, has found himself on the Seahawks' 53-man roster.

"I thought I'd be jumping for joy, but I don't think it really has set in," Payne said when asked about the reality of his accomplishment. "We're playing the Buffalo Bills, my parents are going to come see me, and I think on that opening kickoff, it'll definitely hit me that I'm in the NFL."

Payne spent Aug. 30 - the NFL's cut day - with teammate Steve Vallos, a guard out of Wake Forest, at the house they share. The two were on the practice squad together last season, and like Payne, Vallos made the 53-man roster.

Back in Land O' Lakes, Gators coach John Benedetto was ecstatic as he delivered the news that the school had its first NFL player.

"It's really exciting. I'm elated by the whole thing," Benedetto said. "The kid really didn't get noticed. I mean, he led the state of Florida in receptions back in 2002 and there wasn't a whole lot of interest in him at all. South Florida wouldn't even offer him a scholarship. The only school that was interested in him was the University of Minnesota.

"It just goes to show you that with determination and hard work, you can pretty much get things done. You have to take your hat off to that kid. He's worked hard, and he's earned this opportunity."

It seems that if there's a road to be traveled, Payne doesn't usually get to take the straight route.

As a Land O' Lakes senior in 2002, Payne had 74 receptions for 1,250 yards and 23 touchdowns from best friend Drew Weatherford.

After heading to Minnesota, he carved out his place as a receiver in the run-heavy offense.

In his career at Minnesota, Payne caught 96 passes for 1,333 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a senior, he led the team in catches (59), yards (804) and touchdowns (nine).

"That's the kind of career I've had all the way through," Payne said. "I got a late start at Land O' Lakes, and obviously in Minnesota I went through some trying times trying to break through the lineup and trying to get the ball, when we ran the ball a lot there. I had to take on roles there. Then not getting drafted and being a free agent. I had to break through that barrier a bit.

"What's more valuable than that is the persistence I've built up. I just have to keep fighting no matter what. Keep those blinders on and keep the work ethic. If everything was given to me along the way, I probably wouldn't be the type of player I am now. It's definitely helped me, and those are skills and attributes that are priceless, that you can apply to every area of your life."

Driving that point home, Payne laughed when asked if he would get rid of his rented Hyundai Accent and splurge with his first NFL check.

"We'll see," he said after a hearty laugh and admitting he still has his practice-squad spending habits. "Nothing too crazy."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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