Daron Payne names top 3: 5-star DT has Texas chasing 2 SEC programs

The battle for defensive tackle Daron Payne (Birmingham, Al. Shades Valley Sch) was believed to be a two-team fight between the two in-state programs, Alabama and Auburn, however a third team is making their move for the five-star recruit.

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Payne is the nation’s No. 17 player overall regardless of position, No. four defensive tackle and the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama, but it’s the Texas Longhorns who are making a push for the 6-2, 330-pound defender, according to ESPN’s Gerry Hamilton.

The Crimson Tide are believed to be the overwhelming favorite for Payne as Alabama has 98 percent of the votes on his crystal ball predictions on 247Sports with Auburn receiving the other two percent, but could things change after a visit with Charlie Strong in Austin to see what the Longhorns have to offer?

#ESPN300 No. 36 Daron Payne says at #GetOpen that #Alabama, #Auburn & #Texas are his "three schools". Hopes to make visit to #Texas soon.
— Gerry Hamilton (@GHamilton_On3) July 7, 2014

Payne has taken four visits to Tuscaloosa since March 19, including the Alabama spring game in April and the school’s OL-DL camp on June 14 when he looked like a man amongst boys. He has also taken two trips to The Plains since he attended the Tigers junior day on Feb. 22, but has yet to visit Texas.

The visit to Texas would have to be a grand slam home run for Payne considering he named Alabama his leaders last year and Auburn is firmly entrenched as his No. 2, but perhaps Texas will roll out the red carpet treatment and the full court press and try to get Payne and stick it to Alabama after the Tide flipped A’Shawn Robinson two years ago prior to national signing day.

That sounds like a long shot, but crazier things have happened on the recruiting trail.

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