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Alabama DL Damon Payne expected to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•12/17/24•

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Gary Cosby Jr via IMAGN

Alabama defensive lineman Damon Payne is expected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Following a redshirt year in 2021, Payne played in six games in 2022, then saw time in 2023 as a rotational player on the defensive line. This past season, he logged 14 tackles and one fumble recovery in eight games.

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As a member of the Class of 2021, Payne was a four-star recruit out of Belleville (Mich.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 7 defensive lineman in the class and the No. 49 overall prospect in the class.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

Damon Payne to enter NCAA transfer portal

With Payne expected to move on, Alabama will lose a key rotational piece across the defensive line. With the portal open and postseason play about to begin, it’s a tough balancing act in college football.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer has to prepare his team for the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan.

“There’s so many different pieces to this,” DeBoer said. “I get that and appreciate the question for sure. But, you know, I think this again, we’ve made it always about this team. That’s when we’ve been at our best, is when we really focus on just what it means to this program, this team. We go back to the Iron bowl. It wasn’t about anything external, it was about this group. And that’s what we will certainly keep it to, you know when it comes to getting ready for, you know, Michigan and the bowl game.”

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Alabama (9-3, 5-3 SEC) had participated in nine of the previous 11 playoffs, but the selection committee chose to include SMU over the Crimson Tide. A data point UA was hoping would be enough to sway the committee was strength of schedule. Alabama has the No. 16 schedule compared to No. 60 for the Mustangs, per ESPN’s Football Power Index.