Damon Payne is a name most Michigan football fans were familiar with before this week. The former five-star recruit from Belleville was on the radar as a high school recruit a few years ago.
After entering the transfer portal on Tuesday, Payne, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive tackle, has transferred and committed to Michigan football.
It was first reported by Pete Nakos of On3.com that he signed, but it's a big-time commitment for the Wolverines. According to 247 Sports, Payne is the No. 9 defensive lineman in the transfer portal. With Mason Graham's departure from the NFL and Kenneth Grant's expected departure, defensive tackle was a major need.
This signature was later voided. Some weird things happened but in the end, Payne committed to Michigan according to Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider.
This one's official...Alabama transfer @DamonPayne2021 is in the fold for #Michigan. Story by @AllenTrieu - https://t.co/DFAZg8fgt4 pic.twitter.com/27AlEd3guW
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) December 19, 2024
Payne played in 30 games for Alabama over the past three seasons. He's got 30 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and three tackles for loss. Payne will be looking for a bigger role with Michigan football and he'll have a shot to earn one next season.
There hasn't been any official word on defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, but if he does return, there will be pleny of snaps for multiple defensive tackles. Trey Pierce and Cameron Brandt are other names to know on the defensive line as well as Enow Etta.
Etta is probably better off as a defensive end in the Mike Morris role. But if you add Derrick Moore, TJ Guy, and Jaishawn Barham, who is expected to return and play EDGE, Michigan football suddenly seems loaded on the defensive line.
Yes, the Wolverines lost the best defensive tackle in program history, Mason Graham. Grant isn't far behind, and Josaiah Stewart is another dude with first-round ability.
However, Benny, Moore and Barham are all NFL players. They could play in the NFL next season if they wanted to. I have zero doubt all three would be drafted, probably by the end of the second day, so the Wolverines are more talented than most teams in college football, even with three first-round picks leaving.
Payne is another physical presence up front. He hasn't shown much as a pass rusher but by adding him and Keeshawn Silver from Kentucky, which is still a possibility, the Wolverines will have talent and depth on the defensive line that few teams can match.