Campbell University

2024: Appeared in and started 27 games, battling injury the second half of the season ... Slashed .321/.405/.514 with five home runs and 24 RBI ... Also recorded four doubles and a triple ... hit a grand slam against Bucknell (3/8) as part of a nine-run eighth inning ... In the same game set a career mark of five RBI in a contest ... Had a season-high four hits against Delaware (3/24) ... Was 14-18 in stolen base attempts on the year, tying a career-high three swiped bags against UNCW (5/3) ... Had a 1.000 fielding percentage in center field, recorded 52 putouts and one assist in 53 chances. 

2023: Appeared in 46 games, making 14 starts … Hit .271/.429/.357 with 11 RBI … Recorded 18 stolen bases … Season-high three RBI and one triple against Butler on 2/25 … Stole three bases on 3/8 against Tulane … Hit his only home run of the season in the same game… Made most of his appearances as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in the outfield late in ballgames…

Jefferson College (Hillsboro, Mo.) Played for the Jefferson College Vikings and coach Zac Boone… Hit .343 with 41 runs, 28 RBIU, 7 HR and 19 steals as a sophomore… Batted .319, 19 RBI, 41 runs, 3 HR and 31 stolen bases as a freshman… Was named a top 500 juco prospect…

Prep: Played for the Sikeston Bulldogs and head coach Brett Kolons… Batted .366 with 13 RBI, 23 stolen bases and 2 HR as a junior, his last full season before COVID… Hit .400 as a sophomore… Named to SEMO all-conference and all-district in 2018 and 2019… Helped his team to both district and sectional champions in 2017 and 2019… Played travel ball for the St. Louis Prospects and coach Frank Oliff… Was tabbed a perfect-game preseason all-American… Also played high school basketball where he earned all-district and all-conference in 2020 and conference player of the year… Named Missouri Class-5 all-state…

Personal: Full name is Payton Jordan Howard… Born July 17, 2001… Parents are Vince and Astrid Howard… Has one older brother Vince II, who also played college baseball…