Payne Durham

ACQUIRED BY BUCS:

Selected in the fifth round (171st overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

ACQUIRED BY BUCS:

Selected in the fifth round (171st overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Has appeared in 46 career games, making 18 starts, and bringing in 17 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns.

Has started 2-of-3 career postseason games, making one catch for 18 yards.

2025 HIGHLIGHTS:

Started at tight end in the Week 1 victory in Atlanta, playing 15-of-58 offensive snaps. Also appeared on 14 special teams snaps and contributed one special teams tackle.

In the Week 2 win at Houston, played 17 offensive snaps and 14 special teams snaps.

Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 3 win over the New York Jets, logging 23 offensive snaps and 18 special teams snaps.

In Week 4 vs. Philadelphia, appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense, logging 15 offensive and 15 special teams snaps.

Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 5 win at Seattle, totaling 18 offensive and 18 special teams snaps.

Started at tight end in the Week 6 win over the 49ers, playing 24-of-53 offensive snaps.

Per Pro Football Focus, Durham was Tampa Bay's highest-graded offensive player in the Week 6 victory, earning an 88.7 overall offensive grade.

In Week 7 at Detroit, started at tight end and played 24-of-69 offensive snaps. Also contributed 12 special teams snaps.

Started at tight end in the Week 8 win at New Orleans, playing 32-of-58 offensive snaps. Also appeared on 10 special teams snaps.

In Week 10 vs. New England, started at tight end and played 19-of-69 offensive snaps. Also appeared on 13 special teams snaps.

Started at tight end and played 21-of-70 offensive snaps in Week 11 at Buffalo. Also appeared on 17 special teams

snaps.

In Week 12 at the Los Angeles Rams, started at tight end and played 11-of-70 offensive snaps. Also appeared on 12 special teams snaps.

Played 26-of-61 offensive snaps in the Week 13 win over Arizona, bringing in his first reception of the season, an 11-yard catch.

In Week 14 vs. New Orleans, appeared in a reserve capacity on offense, playing 23-of-74 offensive snaps. Also contributed on nine special teams snaps.

Started at tight end in Week 15 vs. Atlanta, playing 45-of-69 offensive snaps.

Appeared in a reserve capacity on offense in Week 16 at Carolina, playing 14-of-64 offensive snaps.

Started at tight end in Week 17 at Miami, playing nine offensive snaps. Also contributed on 16 special teams snaps.

In the Week 18 win over Carolina, started at tight end and played 18-of-67 offensive snaps. Also appeared on 17 special teams snaps.

COLLEGE:

Appeared in 41 career games across four seasons (2019-22) at Purdue University, totaling 126 receptions for 1,275 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. Also added one carry for four yards.

His 21 receiving touchdowns rank fifth in program history and rank second all- time by a tight end in program history.

His 1,275 receiving yards rank sixth in program history in receiving yards by a tight end.

As a senior in 2022, was a Mackey Award (most outstanding tight end) semifinalist, was named second-team All-Big Ten and was an All-American honorable mention after hauling in 56 passes for 560 yards and eight receiving touchdowns across 13 games (12 starts).

Ranked second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns as a senior.

As a junior in 2021, was named All-Big Ten honorable mention after starting 10-of-12 games and bringing in 45 receptions for 467 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Received All-Big Ten honorable mention as a sophomore in 2020 when he brought in 16 receptions for 166 yards and three receiving touchdowns in six games.

Appeared in 12 games as a freshman in 2019, logging nine receptions for 82 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

PERSONAL:

Attended Peachtree Ridge High (Suwanee, Ga.).

Played lacrosse in high school before being convinced to try out for the football team as a senior after his high school's head football coach made a 3-point basketball shot during a pep rally.

Was born William Payne Durham.

Majored in selling & sales management.