Jeremy Payne RB TCU |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #26 ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.41 seconds (91%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #26 | |
| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.41 seconds (91%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
63.4 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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70% |
| Break Tackles: |
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70% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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58% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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52% |
| Run Blocking: |
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52% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#1105
Position rank:
#42 (RB)
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| College Games: 28 College Snaps: 764 | ||
ESPN RATING: 81/100
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pooka Williams Jr. - Kansas |
|
80% |
| Jarek Broussard - Michigan State |
|
61% |
| Jaret Patterson - Buffalo |
|
61% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jeremy Payne ran for 1,442 yards as a sophomore at Hightower High School in Missouri City, Texas, and followed with 1,002 yards and 13 scores as a junior. He also hit over .400 in baseball, and 247Sports ranked him No. 20 among running backs.Payne made one start across 13 appearances in 2024 and ran for 238 yards and three touchdowns. In 2025 he started four of 11 games and gained 619 yards with five scores, including 174 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati. He won the Alamo Bowl against USC with a 35-yard touchdown catch in overtime.
Payne entered 2026 as TCU's lead back and was on the Earl Campbell Award watch list. He has 88 carries for 429 yards and two touchdowns and has caught 18 of 20 targets. He ran for 142 yards on 25 carries against North Carolina, but he had one carry against Baylor and then missed the games against West Virginia and Kansas with an undisclosed injury.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive straight-line speed backed by an elite forty
- Caught the winning touchdown in overtime of the Alamo Bowl
- Ran for 174 yards and two scores against Cincinnati in 2025
- Reliable receiver who has caught 18 of 20 targets this season
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Extremely light frame, among the lightest backs in the class
- Three fumbles this season, including two at UCF
- Sidelined for the West Virginia and Kansas games by injury
- Averaging under five yards a carry in 2026
- Arkansas State held him to 86 yards on 24 carries
Scouting Report: Summary
Payne is a fast, versatile back who has made big plays, including 174 yards against Cincinnati and the winning touchdown in the Alamo Bowl. He is also a reliable receiver.However, his frame is extremely light, he has fumbled three times this season, and an injury has sidelined him for the past two games.
Overall, Payne is a dynamic but undersized back with ball security issues. He projects as a priority free agent and could return to TCU in 2027.
How other scouting services rate Jeremy Payne (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
551.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
46.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.