Payne named Preseason All-American

football-PayneBefore the Stetson football team even begins practice for the start of its second season, the Hatters already have a player earning preseason All-America accolades.

Sophomore safety Donald Payne was one of 105 players from across the nation in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to have been selected to the BSN Preseason All-America team. Payne was a second team selection. Photo by PhotosinMotion.net.

The Beyond Sports Network Preseason All-America team was chosen based on returning All-Americans from 2013. The voting for the post-season All-America team is done by sports information directors from across the country.

Payne finished his freshman season in 2013 tied as the leading tackler in the Pioneer Football League with 113 total stops. He was also second in the league with 16 tackles for loss, had a pair of interceptions among his 14 pass breakups and recovered three fumbles, which also tied for the league lead.

Payne was one of just two players from the non-scholarship PFL to earn a spot on one of the three teams. He was joined on the second team by San Diego senior receiver Reggie Bell. Payne was also one of just eight sophomores named to the team.

The Hatters will report for the start of training camp on August 1 and will travel to face Warner University in Lakeland on August 30 in the 2014 season-opener. The home-opener is scheduled for the following week, against Florida Tech, at 7 p.m. on Sept. 6.

Season tickets for Stetson’s six home games at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, “The Best Little Stadium in College Football”, are available for as little as $90 through the Stetson Athletics Ticket Office. The office is located inside the Edmunds Center on Pennsylvania Avenue and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Season tickets can also be purchased by calling 386-738-HATS (4287) or by visiting www.GoHatters.com/tix.