Rico Payton III Bio
Rico Payton III is an American professional football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 28, 1999, he grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and built his game as a two-way player at the high school level before working his way up through college football and into the professional ranks. Despite going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Payton signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and has since established himself in the league, eventually landing with the Giants.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing about 183 pounds, Payton has relied on versatility and ball skills developed across multiple positions during his football journey. His path from a Missouri high school standout to a starting cornerback in the NFL reflects steady improvement, positional flexibility, and durability through several football environments.
Early Life and Background
Rico Payton III was born on November 28, 1999, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in a city with a deep football culture, surrounded by the traditions of the sport at the youth, high school, and professional levels. From an early age, he gravitated toward athletics, eventually focusing on football as his primary sport.
Payton attended Lindbergh High School in Sappington, Missouri, where he played both wide receiver and cornerback. During his senior season in 2017, he helped lead Lindbergh to the district championship and earned first-team all-state recognition at defensive back, along with second-team all-state honors as a return specialist. That year, he caught 41 passes for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns, rushed for 836 yards and 17 touchdowns, and added 30 tackles with three interceptions on defense, showcasing his rare two-way ability.
Following his senior campaign, Payton committed to play college football for the Southern Illinois Salukis, setting the stage for the next phase of his development.
Path to Professional Football
After committing to Southern Illinois, Payton arrived on campus in 2018 and redshirted his freshman year, using the season to adjust to the college level and refine his technique. Seeking a clearer path to playing time, he transferred to the Pittsburg State Gorillas, an NCAA Division II program, in 2019.
At Pittsburg State, Payton became a steady contributor in the secondary. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in all 11 games, starting two, and recorded 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and four pass breakups. He did not play in 2020 after opting out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but returned in 2021 to post 12 tackles, six pass breakups, and an interception across nine games. In 2022, he started eight of 13 games, finishing with 14 tackles, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery, earning second-team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) recognition.
His senior season in 2023 was his most productive. Payton started all 13 games and tallied 35 tackles, five tackles for loss, 16 pass breakups, and four interceptions. He was named first-team All-MIAA, served as team captain, earned second-team Division II All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association, and was a nominee for the Cliff Harris Award, given to the top small-college defensive player in the country. He closed his college career with 35 games played, 64 tackles, 26 passes defended, and five interceptions.
Rico Payton III Career
Early Career (2024)
After his decorated senior season at Pittsburg State, Rico Payton III entered the 2024 NFL Draft but went unselected. He quickly signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent, giving him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot at the highest level.
Payton impressed during the Saints’ training camp and preseason, showing enough on the field and on special teams to earn a place on the team’s 53-man roster for the 2024 season. That accomplishment alone represented a significant milestone for a player who had not been on the NFL radar just months earlier.
New Orleans Saints Tenure (2024–2025)
Payton’s time with the Saints began with a successful push through training camp, where his coverage ability and tackling helped him stand out among the rookie class. Making the 53-man roster confirmed the team’s confidence in his developmental trajectory and gave him a full NFL season to adjust to professional game speed.
His stay in New Orleans came to an end on August 26, 2025, when he was waived by the Saints with an injury designation as part of the league’s final roster cuts. Although the move was sudden, it created an opportunity for another franchise to take a chance on his talent.
New York Giants Era (2025–Present)
On August 27, 2025, Rico Payton III was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, signaling a fresh start in the NFC East. The transition was not without challenges, as he was placed on injured reserve just two days after the claim. He remained on injured reserve for several weeks, working toward a return to the active roster.
Payton was activated on November 1, ahead of the Giants’ Week 9 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. His return added depth to the team’s secondary at a critical point in the season and provided him a chance to build on the foundation he had established during his time in New Orleans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although the term “driving style” is more common in motorsports, in football Payton brings a physical, aggressive approach to the cornerback position. His track record as a run-support defender, paired with his ball-hawking instincts, has been a defining strength throughout his career. Versatility remains his most valuable asset, having played wide receiver, return specialist, and cornerback at various levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments in Payton’s career include helping Lindbergh High School reach the district championship in 2017, earning first-team All-MIAA honors at Pittsburg State in 2023, and being nominated for the Cliff Harris Award as the top small-college defensive player. Making the New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and later being claimed by the New York Giants in 2025 stand as defining professional milestones.
Rico Payton III Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Rico Payton III’s immediate family is limited. He has not publicly disclosed detailed information about his parents or siblings, and no public racing or athletic lineage beyond his own accomplishments has been documented.
Personal Life
Payton keeps his personal life private. There is no publicly available information about a spouse, partner, or children. Off the field, he is known to share updates with fans through his social media presence, including his verified account on X, where he engages supporters and documents his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
Rico Payton III’s 2025 season has been defined by movement and adaptation. After spending the 2024 season with the New Orleans Saints and making the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent, he entered 2025 looking to expand his role in the secondary. That opportunity shifted on August 26, 2025, when he was waived by the Saints with an injury designation as part of final roster cuts.
Just one day later, on August 27, the New York Giants claimed him off waivers, providing a new platform to compete at the professional level. He was placed on injured reserve two days later, temporarily halting his on-field contributions as he worked back to full health. The Giants activated him on November 1, ahead of their Week 9 game against the San Francisco 49ers, signaling a return to game action during the heart of the season.
With the second half of 2025 still ahead, Payton’s focus is on carving out a consistent role in the Giants’ secondary and translating his strong practice performances into meaningful game contributions. His ability to contribute on special teams and as a reserve cornerback will be central to his outlook for the remainder of the campaign.