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It did not take long after the 2024 NFL Draft concluded for former NRHS Warrior and Virginia Tech Hokie Pheldarius Payne to realize his dream of making it to the NFL. The former Virginia Tech defensive tackle, who went unselected in the seven-round draft, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans on Saturday.

Payne finished his career with a strong performance in the Hokies 41-20 win over Tulane in the Military Bowl. Payne came up big on a Tulane first-and-goal from the one-yard line when Kai Horton was hit by Payne as he tried to hand off, causing Horton to fumble. The Hokies recovered the ball to end the Tulane drive.

Payne did it again in the third quarter, coming up with a huge stop on a critical third down for Tulane.