After spending two years behind multiple NFL defensive linemen, Alabama junior Da'Ron Payne is in position to be the face of that defensive front in 2017.

The numbers from last season (36 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks) don't jump off the page, but anyone that's seen him play has gotten glimpses of a dominant lineman that can clog the middle and get after the quarterback. After playing a reserve role behind the likes of A'Shawn Robinson, Jonathan Allen, Jarran Reed, and Dalvin Tomlinson, Payne will get the opportunity to become the leader for the Crimson Tide defense.

Payne met with reporters on Thursday following the first practice of the fall to talk about day one, the team's focus heading into the season, and his expanded role. Listen to everything he had to say by watching the video at the top of the page.

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