Payton Kirk

Height:
6-6
Weight:
245
Class:
Redshirt Freshman
Hometown:
Liberty, Mo.
High School:
Liberty

-- First Team Academic All-Big 12

CAREER: A tough defensive lineman who appeared in 39 games in his career.

2011: Saw action in all 13 games, mainly on special teams, but did not record any statistics.

2010: Appeared in all 13 games and earned the start against Syracusae in the Pinstripe Bowl... Collected four tackles on the year, one in each of the UCLA, Missouri State, Iowa State and North Texas games.

2009: Saw some playing time in seven games this past season with one assisted tackle.... Also was very valuable on special teams.

2008: Saw action in six games, playing on the defensive front and field goal block team... Had one stop and blocked one extra point.

2007: Redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned three letters and was a two-year starter at Liberty High School... Started at both defensive tackle and defensive end and also played on the offensive line during his prep career... A 2006 second team Class 6A all-state selection by the Missouri Football Coaches Association...Named to the 2006 Kansas City Star Class 6A All-District team... Also earned first-team Suburban Big 7 honors at defensive line, and second-team Suburban Big 7 honors at offensive line as a senior... Recorded 50 tackles (36 solo), while tallying eight tackles for losses and four sacks in 2006... Had 37 tackles and two sacks, earning all-area honors as a junior... Served as a team captain... Coached by Pat Hansen... Earned two letters in track & field, competing in the discus and 400 meters.

PERSONAL: Payton Kirk was born Dec. 11, 1988, in Tulsa, Okla... Parents are Brian and Terri Kirk... Has a younger sister, Piper... Majoring in secondary education... Career plans include either coaching or athletic training... Cousin, Andy Thorn, played tight end for the Dallas Cowboys... Cousin, Justin Kirk, played linebacker at Northern Iowa.