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COMMIT: Alabama Picks Up Another 5-Star Recruit

The Crimson Tide continues to bolster the defense.

By CB969
These two go waaaaay back.

Alabama continues their recruiting roll with the addition of 5-star defensive tackle Damon Payne out of Belleville, MI.

For obvious reasons, there are comparisons to former Bama D-lineman DaRon Payne. However, the newest Tide commit looks a good deal like Quinnen Williams did in his All-American 2018 season. His explosiveness and shedding of blockers with an effective push-pull and rip move is impressive.

Payne comes in at 6’3.5”/297 lbs. He is ranked as the No. 14 overall player for 2021. Nick Saban has had his eye on the top rated defensive lineman for a long time.

Payne took a trip down south with several of his teammates, including Devontae Dobbs, as a 15-year-old during his freshman year and came away with an offer from Alabama coach Nick Saban.

“I was on a spring break trip that Coach (Jermain Crowell) takes us on every year and we went to Alabama,” Payne said back in 2018. “I was with my coaches and they were having a conversation and Coach Saban started talking to me and in the middle of our conversation he offered me, and I was just shocked. He said to keep working hard, keep developing into a better player.” ~ Detroit News

Payne chose Alabama over Kentucky, Arizona State, Southern Cal and a host of several others. Charles Huff was the main recruiter with help from Freddie Roach. Though, Saban deserves a little credit (winky emoticon).

The addition of Payne makes it four 5-stars for the Crimson Tide.

2021 COMMITS

(EE = Early Enrollee, so far)



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