The St. Louis Battlehawks signed defensive tackle Leonard Payne Jr. on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Leonard Payne Jr. is six foot three and weighs 301 pounds. The 25-year-old from Los Angeles, California, signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, he made four tackles (3 solos, 1 assist) in three preseason games. The Dolphins released him on August 27, 2024. The Green Bay Packers signed Payne Jr. on January 15, 2025. They released him on April 28, 2025.
Collegiately, Payne Jr. spent five seasons at Fresno State (2018-22) with 35 tackles (17 solos, 18 assists), 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 28 games for the Bulldogs. In 2021, he had a career-high 22 tackles (10 solos, 12 assists), five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in 11 games.
Then, he transferred to Colorado in 2023 with 10 tackles (6 solos, 4 assists), two tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 12 games for the Buffaloes.
