Gi'Bran Payne News, Rumors, Updates - Cincinnati Bearcats

Re'Shaun Sanford II breaks tie with long TD run as No. 17 Houston beats Cincinnati 31-24

Re’Shaun Sanford II ran for 126 yards and the tiebreaking score in the fourth quarter, and Conner Weigman threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns as No. 17 Houston beat Cincinnati 3...

NOVEMBER 8 • Associated Press

Will be available for Saturday Payne (ankle) will suit up for Saturday's matchup versus Utah, per the Big 12 availability report.

Impact Payne will return to action for the first time since Week 5, when he sustained an ankle injury. The running back should reclaim his starting role in the backfield, which will shift Cole Tabb back to a reserve role.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be back in Week 9 Cincinnati's head coach Scott Satterfield expects Payne (ankle) to be available Saturday against Utah, Keegan Nickoson of 247Sports reports.

Impact Ideally for Week 9, Payne can finally turn his luck around. It has been a rough month for the running back, whose October production includes fewer than 2.8 yards per carry across 18 rushing attempts. In the game Payne sat out Week 8, Cincinnati excelled on offense and comfortably logged an upset win over Texas Tech. As he was in September, with 69 rushing attempts for 418 yards and two touchdowns, Payne will attempt to re-prove himself as a Bearcat asset.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play versus Texas Tech Payne (ankle) has been downgraded to out for Saturday's contest versus Texas Tech, per the Big 12 availability report.

Impact Payne saw limited action last week after leaving with an injury, handling a season-low seven carries for 26 yards, and it appears the issue will prevent him from suiting up in Week 8 as well. Look for Cole Tabb to lead the way for the Bearcats against a stout Texas Tech front, with Zylan Perry and Zion Johnson being options to mix in.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Status murky versus Texas Tech Payne (ankle) holds a questionable designation for Saturday's contest versus Texas Tech, per the Big 12 availability report.

Impact Payne suffered an ankle injury in last week's contest against West Virginia, and his status is now uncertain for Saturday. The running back has been solid across six games this season, recording 418 yards and two touchdowns on 69 attempts. If he is unable to recover in the coming days, expect Cole Tabb to see additional carries.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Out for remainder of game Payne sustained an ankle injury during Saturday's game against West Virginia, and he will be out for the remainder of the contest, per Neil Meyer of The Front Office News.

Impact Payne will not be available in the backfield for Cincinnati in the second half of Saturday's game. The running back will end his day rushing for 26 yards on seven attempts. Cole Tabb should see more carries in the backfield during his absence.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Shut down Saturday Payne compiled 11 rushes for 24 yards during Saturday's 34-7 loss versus Arizona.

Impact Payne led the team in carries once again, but he rushed for just over two yards per carry in the blowout loss. The Bearcats fell into an early hole which meant the run game was an after thought at a certain point, but Payne still struggled with the opportunities he got. He'll look to bounce back after the bye week during the team's trip to West Virginia in Week 7.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

126 yards in win Payne totaled 16 rushes for 126 yards and hauled in 1 of 2 targets for negative five yards during Saturday's 31-26 victory against Kansas State.

Impact Payne reached the century mark on the ground for the third time through four games, leading the team in carries and rushing yards. His performance could have been even better, but Cole Tabb scored three rushing touchdowns, bringing him up to six through the last three games. While Payne is the clear No. 1 back for the Bearcats, Tabb's knack for the endzone is hurting his ceiling.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Cole Tabb, Gi'Bran Payne lead Cincinnati to 31-26 win over Kansas State in Big 12 opener

Running back Cole Tabb rushes for three second-half touchdowns, helping the University of Cincinnati rally for a 31-26 win over Kansas State in the Big 12 Conference opener for bot...

SEPTEMBER 27 • Associated Press

Quiet in comeback win Payne logged nine carries for 32 yards and reeled in 2 of 5 targets for seven yards during Saturday's 35-31 win versus Miami (OH).

Impact After falling into a deep deficit in the first half, the Bearcats began to spread the ball out and turned to Cole Tabb at running back. Tabb scored three touchdowns, including the game winner, while Payne was held to a season-low 11 touches. Payne is still the Bearcats' No. 1 back, but Tabb certainly made a case for himself to get more work as the team heads into conference play.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Scores twice in win Payne compiled 12 rushes for 102 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in all two targets for 14 yards during Saturday's 62-10 win over Western Carolina.

Impact Payne had a strong outing Saturday, scoring a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter, his first two scores of the young season. He rushed for over 100 yards in his second straight game too, an excellent start to the season for the senior. He has a good chance to make it three 100-yard games in a row Saturday versus Miami (OH).

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Gi'Bran Payne and JC French IV power Cincinnati to big win over Western Carolina

Quarterback JC French IV passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns, leading Cincinnati to a 62-10 win over Western Carolina

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Leads backfield in opener Payne accrued 14 rushes for 108 yards during Saturday's 34-15 victory versus Boston College.

Impact Payne led the team in rushing attempts and yards Saturday, gaining over 100 yards in the season opener. It could have been an even better performance, but quarterback JC French scored three rushing touchdowns from within the five-yard line. Payne faces a very favorable matchup next versus Western Carolina.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Thriving in fall camp Payne continues to stand out in fall camp and is looking likely to open the season with a big role in the backfield, according to Keegan Knickoson of 247Sports.

Impact It seems Payne and Zylan Perry have had a great fall, breaking multiple chunk runs and excelling between the tackles. As things stand now, it wouldn't be surprising if Payne ends up seeing a bigger-than-expected role in the Bearcats' backfield. Payne spent the first three years of his career at Notre Dame, tallying 56 rushing attempts for 226 yards and two touchdowns.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing attention in camp Payne is drawing attention from the coaching staff in the fall camp, according to Scott Springer of The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Impact Payne has caught the eye of the coaching staff since he scampered down the left sideline for a long touchdown run Tuesday. He had good moments at Notre Dame last season, but he was playing behind two 2026 NFL Draft picks in Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Payne is likely to be in the mix for carries.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Commits to Cincinnati Payne has committed to Cincinnati, Keegan Knickoson of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Even though Cincinnati's running back room, already including Manny Covey and Zion Johnson, is shaping up to be competitive, Payne will take his chances enrolling at his hometown's best college. While part of Notre Dame three seasons, he logged 56 rushing attempts for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Payne also recorded that many receiving TDs.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Entering transfer portal Payne is entering the NCAA's transfer portal, BlueandGold.com reports.

Impact Payne did not play during 2024, and 2025 saw his statistical production diminish compared to 2023. The running back ends his Notre Dame career with 56 carries for 226 yards.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Active for spring ball Payne (knee) is not among those listed as out for Notre Dame's spring workouts, Mike Berardino of the South Bend Tribune reports.

Impact Payne, who missed the entirety of the 2024-25 season after suffering an offseason ACL injury, will make his return to the field during Notre Dame's spring workouts. The 5-foot-9 redshirt sophomore last saw the field during the 2023-24 season, totaling 45 carries for 168 yards and two scores on the ground, along with nine receptions for 58 yards and two more touchdowns through the air.

MARCH 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Likely out for season Payne underwent successful reconstructive surgery on his right ACL but is expected to miss the entirety of the 2024 season.

Impact Payne played in Notre Dame's spring game but unfortunately should miss the entire 2024 campaign. The 5-foot-9 running back tallied 45 attempts for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the 2023 season, and it appeared he would be getting a bigger role in the Fighting Irish's offense this season though he'll now have to wait a year for that opportunity.

MAY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Re'Shaun Sanford II breaks tie with long TD run as No. 17 Houston beats Cincinnati 31-24

Cole Tabb, Gi'Bran Payne lead Cincinnati to 31-26 win over Kansas State in Big 12 opener

Gi'Bran Payne and JC French IV power Cincinnati to big win over Western Carolina