The Southeastern Conference will once again fear defensive end Jonathan Allen as he returns for his senior year, but there are two other guys that Alabama fans are happy to see this fall.
Defensive linemen Da’Shawn Hand and Daron Payne both have experience under their belts.
Hand, a junior, was one of the nation’s best defensive end prospects to sign in Alabama’s 2014 recruiting class.
He needed time to develop, but the Virginia native was exceptional down the stretch last season.
Hand disrupted Clemson’s timing in the national championship game, as he recorded four tackles. The 6-foot-4, 278-pound defensive end finished 2015 with 16 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He was clocked at 4.80 seconds in the 40-yard dash this spring.
More spring numbers on Hand
- 335-pound power clean
- 445-pound bench press
- 600-pound squat
- 9’8″ broad jump
- 34-inch vertical
Payne, like Hand, was a top defensive line recruit and a five-star prospect according to 247 Sports Composite.
The Birmingham native signed in the Crimson Tide’s 2015 class and made a solid contribution, totaling 13 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a half sack.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 319 pounds, the sophomore has already become one of the strongest players on the team.
His 365-pound power clean, 500-pound bench press and 600-pound squat are all tied the best on the roster.
His footwork is even more impressive for a man his size, charting a time of 4.93 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Both Hand and Payne were spotted behind Allen and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson in position drills last week in practice. Alabama may lose the intense leadership of A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed, yet its two rising stars appear to be more than ready to carry the torch.
Spring numbers on Hand and Payne were provided by Matt Zenitz of AL.com.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
