Victor J. Payne (b. March 17, 2004) is a hard-hitting strong safety majoring in kinesiology.
A true freshman in 2022 who did not redshirt and played in every game, with four starts — against South Dakota and Kansas, in the Big 12 Championship against TCU, and at the Sugar Bowl against Alabama — Payne started the season opener at free safety, becoming the first K-State true freshman to start a season opener since tight end Jeron Mastrud in 2006 and the first on defense since at least 1988.
After settling in as the starting strong safety following season-ending injuries to Kobe Savage and Cincere Mason, he carded a season high with 10 tackles in the Sugar Bowl — which included his first career sack — as he tied for 10th in K-State bowl history in tackles.