ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alabama did it again.

The most sought-after prospect in the state of Alabama committed to the Crimson Tide on Friday at the Under Armour All-America Game. His decision comes after a long recruitment featuring both of the Yellowhammer State’s powerhouses — Alabama and Auburn — in addition to Mississippi State.

The second-ranked player in the state of Alabama was joined by cornerback prospect Kendall Sheffield in committing to the Crimson Tide on Friday, adding to head coach Nick Saban’s and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart’s top-ranked class.

For the 6-foot-2, 325-pound Payne, the decision wasn’t easy, but a decision had to be made, and he’s decided to make the short 45-minute trip from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa.

“I just felt like that’s the better place that will develop me and turn me into a great young man, and I just love the coaches,” Payne told Saturday Down South. “It feels like home.”

For Payne, like many in the state of Alabama, you’re born into fandom. You either root for Alabama or Auburn because a family member went there, or because you just don’t like the other school. The lines get blurred, however, when you have a chance to play football in-state. Your career rides on the decision and, all of a sudden, allegiances are put aside and you think about your future.

“It was hard because on one hand, I grew up an Auburn fan and really loved Auburn, and I always dreamed of playing for them,” Payne said. “But Alabama is the better school.”

He’s committed, sure, but National Signing Day is still more than a month away and the recruiting process will continue until the lauded defensive tackle signs the dotted line. The process is taxing; it’s hard to describe being a teenager having multimillion dollar head coaches whose jobs depend on landing your services scrape and claw to bring you to their program.

Payne said the recruiting process began in the 10th grade for him, nearly three years ago. Since then, he’s dealt with letters, phone calls, official and unofficial visits, house and school visits by coaches. It can all grow so old so early.

Many of us make decisions about where to attend college, but so few of us make decisions about where to play Division I college football. That decision has so many repercussions; how can Program A affect a player’s ability to make it to the NFL that Program B can’t? Which team gives a player the best chance to compete for a championship, not to mention playing time?

“It’s always been fun, I loved it,” Payne said of the recruiting process. “It’s been a long time coming, so I’m glad that it’s finally over.”

Despite hard pitches from Auburn commits this week, Payne has made his decision and he’s sticking to it.

He’ll don the crimson and white, giving Saban and Smart reason to smile after a disappointing start to the new year.