
Andrada sella la paz con Pulido con una llamada
Andrada llama a Pulido para pedir disculpas y restablecer la paz
Damon Payne, a former five-star recruit, has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent after a challenging college career at Alabama. Despite not being drafted, he aims to make an impact in the NFL.
Mentioned in this story
Generally, five-star recruits are expected to eventually be day one, or at least day two, NFL draft picks. For former five-star defensive tackle Damon Payne, it didn't exactly work out that way.
Payne hailed from Belleville High School, mere minutes from Ann Arbor, but opted to start his career playing for Nick Saban at Alabama. He never quite took hold in Tuscaloosa, even when Kalen DeBoer took over the Crimson Tide in 2024. Thus, in 2025, Payne opted to return home, where he hoped his career would flourish.
Payne still was a reserve player, and though he saw a lot of time on task, he didn't necessarily have a statline that indicated his intermittent dominance. With 16 tackles and two tackles for loss, Payne wasn't seen in the same light as teammate Rayshaun Benny.
Thus, unlike Benny (who ended up being a seventh-round pick), Payne didn't get the call that he was getting selected in the 2026 NFL draft. But, he is still getting his opportunity, having signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
The Chiefs often had a cadre of Wolverines up front, ranging from Frank Clark to Taco Charlton to Mike Danna. Danna was the last man standing in Kansas City, but ultimately was released this offseason. Payne will come in and hope to continue the tradition of former Michigan players playing stalwart on the historically disrupted defensive line.
Damon Payne was not selected in the 2026 NFL draft due to a lack of standout statistics during his college career, despite being a five-star recruit.
Damon Payne played for the University of Alabama before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Damon Payne plays as a defensive tackle in the NFL.

Andrada llama a Pulido para pedir disculpas y restablecer la paz
Rajasthan Royals chase down 223 to hand Punjab Kings their first loss!
Despite leading the AL West, the Athletics are failing to provide fantasy baseball value. What’s going on?
Warriors could use Lakers draft pick to keep Stojakovic from Illinois
Louisiana Tech officially set to join Sun Belt next season after settlement with CUSA.
Liverpool is set to pay a £52m release clause for a new forward as they revamp their attack.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.