Kwity Paye

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:

Selected by the Colts in the first round (21st overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.

2024 SEASON (COLTS):

• In 2024, he started 15 games and collected 41 tackles (29 solo), 10.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks and one forced fumble. In Week 3 vs. CHI, he tallied five tackles (three solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and half a sack. In Week 10 vs. BUF, he compiled three solo tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 11 at NYJ, he accumulated seven tackles (six solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one forced fumble. It marked his third consecutive game with a sack and his third career multi-sack game. In Week 16 vs. TEN, he totaled four tackles (two solo), 1.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 18 vs JAX, he compiled two solo tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack and one pass defensed. He finished the season recording a tackle for loss in three consecutive games.

2023 SEASON (COLTS):

• He started 16 games in 2023 and compiled 52 tackles (31 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In Week 1 vs. JAX, he registered four tackles (three solo), 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 2 at HOU, he totaled five tackles (three solo), 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack and one fumble recovery. In Week 3 at BAL, he tallied three solo tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack and one fumble recovery. In Week 10 at NE, he registered three tackles (two solo) and 1.0 sack. In Week 13 at TEN, he recorded six tackles (four solo), 2.0 sacks and two forced fumbles.

2022 SEASON (COLTS):

• In 2022, he started 12 games and recorded 45 tackles (32 solo), 10.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and one forced fumble. In Week 1 at HOU, he registered 2.0 sacks for his first multi-sack game. In Week 9 at NE, he registered eight tackles (seven solo) and added 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 13 at DAL, he registered a single game career-high nine tackles (six solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack.

2021 SEASON (COLTS):

• Started 15 games in 2021 and registered 32 tackles (16 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. In Week 10 vs. JAX, he tallied one solo tackle, 1.0 tackle for loss and his first-career sack. In Week 11 at BUF, he tallied one solo tackle and one strip-sack. In Week 12 vs. TB, he recorded two solo tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. He registered at least one sack in three consecutive games to become the first Colts rookie to accomplish that feat since Shaquille Leonard from Weeks 2-4 of 2018. In Week 17 vs. LV, he tallied three tackles and 1.0 sack.

COLLEGE:

• Appeared in 38 games (20 starts) at Michigan (2017-20) and totaled 100 tackles (56 solo), 23.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
• As a senior team captain, he was selected Second Team All-Big Ten by the media after he started all four games he appeared in and registered 16 tackles (12 solo), a team-high 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He also was named a Senior CLASS Award finalist and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Paye was selected as the team's Defensive Lineman of the Week against Minnesota after he started the game and recorded four solo tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
• In 2019, he earned Second Team All-Big Ten accolades from the coaches after he started all 12 games and accumulated a single-season career-high 50 tackles (26 solo), a team-high 12.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. He was selected as the co-recipient of the Richard Katcher Award (Michigan's best defensive lineman or outside linebacker) along with Aidan Hutchinson. Paye earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades. Named the team's Defensive Player of the Week against Rutgers after he started the game and tallied six tackles (four solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
• As a sophomore, he saw action in 13 games (four starts) and registered 29 tackles (18 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble. He was named the team's Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performances at Northwestern, vs. Maryland and vs. Indiana. Started against Northwestern and accumulated four solo tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Paye garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors.
• In 2017, he appeared in nine games and tallied five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. Registered three tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and his first-career sack at Penn State.

PERSONAL:

• Attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, R.I. and was rated the No.1 player coming out of the state by ESPN.
• As a senior, he was named the 2016 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year after he led the team to their seventh-consecutive state title and tallied 65 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also registered 651 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns at running back.
• In 2016, he was named the USA Today Rhode Island Defensive Player of the Year.
• As a senior, he earned Under Armour All-America accolades.
• As a junior, he recorded 54 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
• Also competed in track and was a state champion in the long jump and part of the state champion 4x100 relay team.
• In June 2024, Bishop Hendricken High School honored Paye ('17) by retiring his No. 1 jersey.
• Participated in the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative and represented She's The First (2023-24) and TUFF (The Uniform Funding Foundation) (2021-22).
• Born in the Republic of Guinea and moved to Rhode Island when he was six months old.
• His brother, Komotay Koffie, was a defensive back at Northern Colorado and New Mexico State (2017-19).
• Majored in Afro-American and African studies.
• First name is pronounced QWIT-tee.
• Last name is pronounced PAY.
• Grew up in Providence, R.I.