Saturday, August 8, 2026
Courtesy of CU Athletics
Position
Offensive Lineman
Height
6'7"
Weight
320 lbs
Hometown
Canandaigua NY.
High School
Jones
Xavier Payne joined Colorado in 2026 as an early enrollee after helping Jones High School in Orlando make deep playoff runs in consecutive seasons.
For Payne, playing offensive line revolves around one word: trust. He loves knowing that a quarterback can take a snap without worrying about the person protecting his blind side, and that same idea shaped his decision to come to Colorado. Payne saw a staff filled with former NFL linemen who could develop him both inside and outside.
He became one of Jones’ vocal leaders as a senior after learning from older teammates, and credits wrestling and track and field with developing his leverage, body control and explosiveness.
Away from football, Payne describes himself as calm and easygoing. He enjoys video games, lacrosse and spending time in the mountains.
His ambition, however, is anything but understated: Payne wants to leave Boulder remembered as “the greatest offensive lineman to ever come through Colorado.”
Source: CU Athletics
