Tyce Payne already has two all-state seasons behind him and a growing list of college options ahead.
The Vernon linebacker has set his sights on first-team honors and helping establish Vernon's linebackers among the best in Texas. He wants to prove that Vernon's unit has the best linebackers in the state, and he believes his game has changed significantly since he first stepped onto the varsity field. Payne describes himself as "more physical and quicker to react," a development that has turned him into the anchor of Vernon's defense.
Payne has recorded 154 tackles in 23 varsity games, including 41½ tackles for loss and six sacks. Dave Campbell's Texas Football ranked Vernon's linebacker unit No. 1 in Class 3A entering the season, a distinction Payne said has added to the group's excitement. "It's super cool," Payne said. "I'm fired up about it."
Payne's sportsmanship and the way he treats teammates matter to him beyond big hits and the stat sheet. When asked what he hopes people notice when they watch him on Friday nights, he pointed to his sportsmanship and the way he treats teammates. Being a good teammate, he noted, can be as simple as "hyping up someone else's tackle" or offering encouragement after a play.
The 2026 season brings a different dynamic to the sideline, with Payne's father, Brock Payne, entering his first season as Vernon's head coach after spending the previous five years as the Lions' defensive coordinator. Tyce said the transition has been positive, describing the program as more efficient under his father's direction.
Payne believes the Lions have the pieces to extend their season into December if they keep improving. "I feel like we're pretty solid," Payne said. "We just need to fix some things, especially offensively, but I feel like we can make a deep run." The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder is unranked by 247Sports, but his college options are growing, with BYU, Michigan, and TCU being the schools he is currently leaning toward.
Eventually, his attention will turn to a college decision, but with two seasons still ahead at Vernon, Payne knows there is no rush. "Somewhere with a good culture, somewhere I can win at and somewhere that can develop me as a player and as a person," Payne said. For now, he is focused on helping Vernon's linebackers establish themselves among the best in Texas.
Source: Yahoo Sports