Alabama football lands fourth five-star of 2021 with Damon Payne’s commitment

Damon Payne gives Alabama football its fourth five-star commitment in 2021.

Alabama football lands yet another five-star commitment in this recruiting cycle in Damon Payne.

Payne committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide on CBS Sports HQ on Sunday afternoon. The No. 1 player from Michigan and the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country is the No. 14 overall player in his class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Alabama was seen as a heavy, heavy favorite over his No. 2 team of choice in the Kentucky Wildcats. He’s the latest five-star to join Alabama.

Payne becomes the 16th player to commit to the Crimson Tide and be part of its impressive 2021 recruiting class. He is the fourth five-star to verbally commit to Alabama, joining offensive tackle Tommy Brockermeyer from Fort Worth, Texas (No. 5), offensive tackle JC Latham from Bradenton, Florida (No. 16) and wide receiver Jacorey Brooks from Miami, Florida (No. 26). This class is loaded.

With Damon Payne committing to Alabama, will the Tide have the best class?

Once the Brockermeyer Twins (Tommy and James) disavowed their birthright to play for the Texas Longhorns, we could begin to sense the floodgates were about to open for Alabama football recruiting. Two days after the Brockermeyer Twins picked the Tide, four-state guard Terrence Ferguson from Fort Valley, Georgia announced his commitment to Alabama.

Payne announced his commitment date last week on Twitter. Even though the Belleville, Michigan native could have stayed in-state, it felt like a forgone conclusion he was joining the Crimson Tide. Kentucky was a distant second to secure his commitment, with the Arizona State Sun Devils and the USC Trojans even further back on his list of preferred destinations.

Alabama had the No. 2 class in the entire country, but was a good ways back of the Ohio State Buckeyes for the top spot. Given the recruiting prowess of Nick Saban and his staff, we shouldn’t expect Alabama to slow up on the recruiting trail any time soon. Landing the No. 1 class in the cycle is very much within reach. If they continue to dominate out-of-state, they’ll get to No. 1.

Payne compares favorably to former Alabama defensive line standout A’Shawn Robinson. Though not a bona fide first-round talent, Payne has the skill-set that will get him drafted on day two in the next three or four years. He will be coached up at Alabama, as well as play in more big games than he would had he stayed in-state with the Michigan Wolverines or the Michigan State Spartans.

Payne is another crucial piece for Alabama to end up with the No. 1 recruiting class for 2021.

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