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DT Damon Payne on experience at Michigan after transferring from Alabama: 'It's been nothing short of amazing'

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•04/20/25•

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Damon Payne
Michigan Wolverines football defensive tackle Damon Payne transferred in from Alabama. (Photo by Clayton Sayfie / TheWolverine.com)

Michigan Wolverines football graduate defensive tackle Damon Payne spurned U-M for Alabama during his high school recruitment back in 2021. But when the former five-star recruit entered the portal in December, he decided to come home.

The Belleville (Mich.) High product spent four seasons at Alabama but is glad to be back in the state of Michigan, playing for the Wolverines.

“Besides me being 20 minutes up the street, they do make this place feel like home,” Payne said with a smile, discussing his decision. “This place is where it feels like I’m supposed to be.

“It’s been nothing short of amazing. It’s a family culture. You come into work every day, and you reap what you sow.”

The Michigan defense has been strong for a number of years, and Payne wanted to be a part of it.

“The aggressiveness, the versatility and just the history that the Michigan defense has in stopping the run and developing players,” he said of what stands out. “It’s amazing.”

The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Payne was asked why he didn’t choose the Wolverines the first time around.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Payne replied. “God led my path, but I got here eventually, I’m here now. A lot of things to be thankful for, and I’m thankful for my experiences before that.”

Payne was a key rotational piece for the Crimson Tide each of the last two seasons. He posted 14 tackles, including 1 for loss, and a forced fumble in 12 games in 2024. Michigan has other capable players up front this coming season, but Payne is ready to compete and contribute.

“I just told those guys I’m gonna come ready to work, I’m gonna give everything I got for my last season,” he said. “The response was that we had the same goals, like-minded, so that’s why I came.”

Interior defensive line depth has been a big storyline this offseason, with Michigan set to roll out different linemen in “waves.”

“There’s nothing worse than a fight when you think you’ve got the advantage and then the next person comes in and is just as strong as the first,” Payne said, noting he loves that there will be a lot of rotation.”

The players that he’s competing with are also the ones bringing him along.

“Really all the guys, from [senior EDGE] Chibi [Anwunah] to [sophomore tackle] Deyvid [Palepale] to [graduate DT Rayshaun] Benny,” Payne said of who’s helped him acclimate to Michigan. “All of the guys have shown me the ropes, trained me in different ways, given me pointers and tips, just like I’ve given to them. Really, we’re all pouring into each other right now.”

Payne is playing multiple spots on the defensive line.

“They really got all of us playing everything right now — from the nose to the end. Pretty much everything,” he said.

Whoever else earns a starting role will likely be lining up next to Benny, who’s been waiting his turn to be one of the first players up at Michigan for four seasons. He’s impressed as a key backup for years but is ready for his moment, and he’s bringing others along with him.

“With Benny, I’ve really been impressed with his leadership so far,” Payne said. “When I came here, all I heard was guys talking about how far he’s come. To be here for only a little amount of time, you can already tell that he’s a great player, great leader. That’s his biggest aspect for me.”

Clemson defensive tackle transfer Tré Williams will also be a crucial part of Michigan’s rotation up front.

“Tré Williams — that’s my guy, T-Groove,” Payne said. “He came in ready to work. We’ve only known each other for a couple months, but I feel like we got a bond that’s really strong that’s being created right now.”

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