Former Virginia Tech DL Pheldarius Payne signs with NFL team for second time

Following the NFL Draft in Detroit back in April, former Virginia Tech defensive tackle Pheldarius Payne signed with the Houston Texas as an undrafted free agent. He impressed in May at minicamp and stuck around with the defending AFC South champs right up until training camp was slated to begin.

Houston released Payne right before camp was to begin, but almost three weeks after cutting him, the Texans are bringing him back. Payne was signed for a second stint with the team and will have a chance to earn a roster or practice squad spot.

Pheldarius Payne returns to the Houston Texans

Payne, who transferred to Virginia Tech from Nebraska in March of 2022, was previously waived with a hamstring injury. He went undrafted despite having an impressive Pro Day in March in Blacksburg and following that, he had some interviews with some pro teams, but never heard his name called in Detroit.

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Payne registered 31 tackles last season for the Hokies, including 10 solo, and had four sacks for Chris Marve's defense. Along with Antwaun Powell-Ryland and others, Virginia Tech's defensive line caused a lot of problems for ACC foes over the final two months of the season and then in their win over Tulane in the Military Bowl.

During minicamp, Payne impressed Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, "He's an undersized defensive tackle that is very explosive and quick. You saw him make a lot of plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage, utilizing his explosiveness, his quickness. We would like to see him translate that to our scheme and what we do. We have some smaller defensive linemen on our team, and I think when guys play the style of ball that I want to play - guys are attacking and we can utilize his quickness — hopefully, Payne can be a guy who can add to that group as well.''

Payne will have a chance to make an early impression when Houston hosts the New York Giants on Saturday.