- Michigan
STATE CHAMPS! SCOUT TEAM: Belleville’s Damon Payne commits to Alabama
Damon Payne’s been special since he stepped foot on campus at Belleville — and that hasn’t changed as his career with the Tigers has gone on.
The big tackle made a splash with his commitment on Sunday, picking Alabama.
Payne made the announcement on a live broadcast on CBS Sports HQ.
Projected as a defensive tackle in college, the 6-foot-3.5, 297-pound Payne played both ways for the Tigers last season, helping them to the semifinals for the second straight season. Belleville has gone 34-3 over the last three seasons.
Payne was ranked a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports, which all had him ranked in the top two players in this year’s class around the state of Michigan. ESPN and Rivals ranked him as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the country, while 247Sports had him No. 2.
He chose the Crimson Tide from 27 total offers, including Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, LSU, Oregon, USC and others.
— MATTHEW B. MOWERY
