TUSCALOOSA, Ala.| He was one of six five-star prospects signed in Alabama’s 2015 recruiting class, but this Birmingham native is starting to make his own waves in a crimson uniform.
A decision between Alabama or Auburn faced sophomore defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne a year ago, nevertheless, he chose to link up with Calvin Ridley, Damien Harris, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Blake Barnett in allowing head coach Nick Saban to mentor him at Tuscaloosa.
Payne (6-foot-2, 319 pounds) was a part of 16-17 man rotation on the Crimson Tide’s defensive line last season. He totaled 13 tackles in 15 games, including earning three stops in his first career start against Arkansas. With Payne anchoring the middle, only two teams manage to total 100 rushing yards against Alabama during the 2015 regular season—Georgia (193) and Tennessee (132).
He’s continued to improve throughout the offseason, posting a team-best in the power clean (365 pounds), bench press (500 pounds) and squat lift (600 pounds). Despite his size, Payne is also one of the faster trench guys on the roster with a 40-time of 4.93 seconds. He assisted on three tackles for the Tide’s first-team defense on A-Day, but Saban has more in store for Payne this season.
The Alabama football coach took the podium for his presser on Thursday, and said the coaching staff has been working with Payne on trying to get him an increased role.
“Da’Ron Payne played very well for us last year,” Saban said.
“He didn’t play a lot in nickel, but he did a really good job in regular and he’s had a really good camp. We tried to improve him a little as a pass rusher, so he can be a good inside player for us and I think he’s done that. It gives us another inside guy that we can play and substitute.”
For a unit that lost A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, D.J. Pettway and Darren Lake to the National Football League, it seems that Payne has stepped up vocally also. Senior defensive end Jonathan Allen singled him out to the media during player interviews on last week.
“He’s just trying to get better,” Allen said on Payne.
“You can never have too many leaders. I feel like he’s done a good job so far.”
Payne’s output in 2015 coupled with his offseason progressions have earned him a spot on the 2016 preseason Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, joining Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, Da’Shawn Hand, Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster, Cameron Robinson and O.J. Howard. He and the Crimson Tide’s front seven will face Southern California on Saturday, Sept. 3 at AT&T Stadium.
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 @Smsmith_TDALMag.
