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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The top uncommitted prospect in the state of Alabama Daron Payne committed to Alabama on Friday during the Under Armour All-America Game.
Payne, a heralded defensive end from Shades Valley School in Birmingham, Ala., chose the Crimson Tide over in-state rival Auburn and Mississippi State. Both Alabama and Auburn ramped up their pursuit of Payne after the Tigers hired new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp in mid-December.
At 6-foot-2, 325-pounds, Payne is a force on the defensive interior. He had said playing time and scheme would be factors in his decision. Both Crimson Tide offensive line coach Mario Cristobal and Tigers defensive line coach Rodney Garner offered Payne the same pitch to Payne, who up to this week, was said to still be weighing his decision.
The addition of Payne is a boost to the Tide’s defensive front, which suffered late from a lack of depth. Arriving this summer, Payne should vie for immediate playing time on the defensive interior.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
