Beset by a series of injuries, Jay Payton played only two games for Battlefield High School's (Haymarket, VA) varsity football squad his junior season in 2011. A healthy Payton flourished as a senior at Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.), racking up 120 tackles and earning Co-Defensive MVP honors for his team and third-team all-WCAC honors for his play at outside linebacker/rush end.
"I didn't face any injuries my senior year," said Payton, whose full first name is Jacorien but he goes by Jay. "Coach [Rick] Houchens gave me a choice of where I wanted to play. The team was all freshmen and sophomores, so he gave me a leadership role. I played outside linebacker, but then Coach Houchens felt the pass rush wasn't as good. We ran a 3-4 defense, but he put me at the end and I just got after the quarterback."