Alabama DL Da’Ron Payne Learning from Defensive Veterans

The aggressiveness and tenacity of the Alabama defense starts with seniors like Jonathan Allen and Tim Williams, but the depth makes the Crimson Tide relentless.

One of the players in that defensive rotation is sophomore Da'Ron Payne. The former Shades Valley standout has made the most of his opportunities this year and looks to be the future along the front. Payne acknowledges that he tries to model his game after the veterans ahead of him.

"I've just been trying to really just focus on the playbook and just getting my keys and try to be physical at the point of attack," Payne said. "Been watching Jon (Allen) and Dalvin (Tomlinson) pass rush and been trying to define my game off them."

Payne has 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack on the year, but he's shown flashes of possessing a dominant pass rush. This highlight from LSU is the perfect example.

Payne will continue to work along the defensive front as Alabama tries to finish off an undefeated regular season and maintain its No. 1 defensive ranking in the SEC.