LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Locos, the defending champions of the United Football League, selected former Western State linebacker Dominic Payne in the first round of the 2010 UFL Draft earlier this month. Payne was an All-RMAC performer and recorded 105 tackles in his senior season of 2004.
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Payne had spent his seasons after Western State playing in the United Indoor Football League with the Bloomington Extreme and the Peoria Rough Riders. He earned the UIF Defensive Player of the Week honor with 9.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks and an interception against the Sioux City Bandits in 2006.
“We thought Dominic was a tremendous athlete,” said Locos Head Coach Jim Fassel following the draft. “We weren’t depleted and we did a lot of research and most every one of the players we picked we had worked out. It is down to the character of a player and his attitude.”
Payne was a second-team All-RMAC athlete in his senior year and an honorable mention selection as a junior in 2003. He collected 185 career tackles and 10.5 sacks in his three seasons after he transferred from Eastern Arizona College.
The Locos open the 2010 UFL season Sept. 17 at home in Sam Boyd Stadium in a rematch from the inaugural 2009 championship game.