On Thursday, WolverinesWire asked fellow 2021 class member Rayshaun Benny — who has been in Ann Arbor the whole time — in a general sense his excitement for Payne’s commitment to the maize and blue (Payne hasn’t officially signed yet) as well as the importance of getting or bringing local talent back into the fold.

Alabama defensive tackle transfer Damon Payne Jr. committed to Michigan Wednesday night. The program officially announced him as an addition and new member of the Wolverines Friday afternoon, with Payne signing with his new school.

It was a crazy day in terms of transfer portal recruiting for Michigan football. The Wolverines had appeared to have gotten a commitment and a signing from former Belleville (Mich.) five-star defensive tackle Damon Payne — who has been at Alabama since 2021 — but that’s when things went haywire.

There was some back-and-forth, but ultimately, former Alabama Crimson Tide DL Damon Payne will sign with the Michigan Wolverines. Payne reportedly initially signed with the Wolverines Wednesday morning,

After a whirlwind of a day for Michigan in its recruitment of former five-star defensive lineman Damon Payne Jr. it has finally ended in a positive way for the Wolverines. Payne went to Instagram on Wednesday night and announced he would be committing to Michigan which finally put an end to wondering what happened?

Alabama defensive line transfer Damon Payne has announced his commitment to Michigan. Payne, a Belleville native, gives the Wolverines a 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive tackle, a position of need with Mason Graham already declaring for the NFL Draft and Kenneth Grant likely to do the same.

Damon Payne officially announced a commitment to Michigan on Wednesday ahead of Alabama football taking on the Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl.  The former Tide defensive lineman played at Alabama from 2022 to 2024.

Damon Payne, a top-50 recruit from Belleville, was the No. 9 available defensive lineman in the portal according to 247Sports composite rankings.