ORLANDO - Former Northwest wide receiver JaVonta Payton is getting another chance in professional football, as the Nashville native signed with the Orlando Guardians of the recently-revived XFL earlier this month.

Payton, a crucial member of the Rangers' 2017-18 teams, played in 21 games and caught 67 passes for 840 yards and 11 touchdowns. During his two-year stint at Northwest, Payton helped the Rangers to back-to-back conference playoff appearances and the 2017 Graphic Edge Bowl. 

Following Northwest, Payton went on to Mississippi State for the 2019-20 seasons, before transferring to Tennessee to conclude his college career. With the Vols, he caught 18 passes for 413 yards and six touchdowns to help the Vols to a 7-6 record. One of his most notable touchdowns came in a road win against Kentucky, where he took a 75-yard pass into the end zone on the first play from scrimmage. 

Though undrafted, Payton signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals, where he was cut despite a promising preseason. Payton will reunite with 2017 Northwest teammate Chris Stamps in Orlando, where the former Middle Tennessee defensive back joined the organization last month as a defensive assistant.

Payton is also the second former Ranger to join the XFL in recent months, as fellow Northwest teammate Tariqious Tisdale was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks in November. The former Northwest and Ole Miss defensive lineman spent the preseason with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent.

Kickoff for the 2023 season is scheduled for February 18, with games slated to air on ESPN and ABC. The Guardians will play all home games at Camping World Stadium, also home of the Citrus Bowl.

For more information on Payton and the Orlando Guardians, visit xfl.com/teams/orlando.