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Da’Ron Payne commits to Alabama: Crimson Tide get 4-star defensive tackle

By Patrick Schmidt

Oct 18, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al brings his team onto the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al brings his team onto the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama added to their No. 1 recruiting class on Friday afternoon from the Under Armour All-American Game with the commitment of defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne.

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Four-star defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne (Birmingham, AL Shades Valley) is the newest member of Nick Saban’s 2015 recruiting class after the four-star recruit gave his verbal commitment to the Crimson Tide from the Under Armour All-American Game on Friday.

Payne is the No. 41 recruit overall regardless of position, No. 6 defensive tackle and the No.2 recruit in the state of Alabama, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

The 6-2, 325 pound defensive lineman was viewed as a virtual lock to Alabama dating back to before he even began his junior season of high school when he named Alabama his leaders on July 30, 2013 after three visits to the campus, including twice for school camps.

Payne continued to be a frequent visitor to Tuscaloosa from the time he named Alabama his leader with 11 unofficial visits, according to his player profile page on 247Sports, including a Dec. 14 visit that all but clinched his place with Alabama, picking the Tide over Auburn and Mississippi State.

There was no surprise when he donned the Alabama hat at his announcement at the Under Armour Game on Friday and should be a valuable member of the Tide’s defensive line where he likely will play on the nose in their three-man front.

Payne became the 23rd commitment for Alabama’s 2015 class that has been essentially had a permanent spot atop the national rankings. Alabama is shooting for a fourth straight year with the nation’s No. 1 class. The Under Armour Game is basically a breeding ground for Alabama commitments with double-digit commitments playing in this year’s game.

He is the second defensive tackle to commit to Alabama, joining four-star recruit T.D. Moten (Shreveport, LA. Woodlawn) and the fifth-highest commitment in the entire class. Payne is as strong as any recruit in the nation this class and could develop into a potential monster at nose tackle for Saban and Alabama.

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