Virginia Tech sophomore receiver Jaden Payoute announced he’s taking a medical disqualification, ending his football career after years of battling foot and hamstring issues.

Payoute, who was the No. 4 recruit in Virginia when he signed with the Hokies in 2019 out of L.C. Bird High in Chesterfield, missed the 2020 season after breaking his foot and struggled to get on the field last year with various injuries.

The athletic receiver concludes his college career having appeared in 11 games with just one catch, a diving 42-yard reception against Maryland in the Pinstripe Bowl in December.

“After lengthy conversations with my family and coaches, as well as many hours of prayer, I have made the difficult decision to take a medical disqualification and conclude my football career at Virginia Tech,” Payoute wrote in a Twitter post. “I will be forever grateful to Coach (Justin) Fuente and his staff for recruiting me and giving me an opportunity to pursue my dream of playing for the Hokies.

“The last 18 months have been exceedingly difficult for me and I believe the best thing for my long-term mental and physical health is to walk away from the game. I appreciate Coach (Brent) Pry, Coach (Fontel) Mines, my teammates and so many other individuals at Virginia Tech for supporting me in this decision.”

Payoute’s departure thins what already wasn’t a deep receiving corps, where transfers Jadan Blue and Stephen Gosnell join returners Kaleb Smith, Da’Wain Lofton and Jaylen Jones to form the top options.

The end of Payoute’s career means the two highest-ranked in-state recruits of the Fuente era — Payoute and safety Devon Hunter (No. 2 in 2017) — recently finished their careers with little production to show for it.

(Photo: Lee Coleman / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

What does Payoute's departure mean for the Hokies' WR corps?

Most of Payoute’s outlook was based on promise because he’d rarely been on the field in his three years, so it’s hard to say it’s necessarily a huge hit. But he takes an athletic option out of the mix.

Blue and Gosnell are good options to bring some experience in the room to go with Smith, who’s a big body and excellent blocker but hardly a huge pass catcher. The key might be the development of Lofton and Jones, two well thought of freshmen last year who got a taste of action (eight catches, 113 yards) but will likely be asked to handle some serious snaps this fall.

Thank you Hokie Nation for the endless love and support. Will always be a Hokie forever 🧡 #4704

— Jaden Payoute (@JJPayoute_1) March 29, 2022