Washington Redskins draft former Alabama star Da’Ron Payne at No. 13
By SDS Staff
Published:
It’s been already been solid 2018 for Da’Ron Payne.
The Alabama defensive tackle kicked off 2018 by recording an interception and an offensive touchdown en route to Sugar Bowl Defensive MVP honors. A week later, Payne doubled down on that performance by stuffing the Georgia run game en route to Defensive MVP honors of the national championship.
And on Thursday night, Payne officially became an NFL player.
The Washington Redskins took Payne at No. 13 overall, making him the second Alabama player off the board (Minkah Fitzpatrick went No. 11 to the Miami Dolphins). Even better, Payne will get to team up with former Alabama teammates Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson, who were selected in the first 2 rounds by the Redskins last year.
Payne’s breakout junior season soared his draft stock. The first-team All-SEC selection racked up 45 tackles against the run while adding a team-high 8 quarterback hurries.
Despite all the great defensive linemen that have come through Alabama in recent memory, Payne became just the second such player to go in the first round in the last 7 drafts. Payne’s selection marked the first time in the Nick Saban era that Alabama had first-round defensive linemen drafted in consecutive seasons.
Alabama also appears to be in good shape to potentially push for its record of 10 draft picks in the 7-round era.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
