📡 Da’Ron Payne is now the strength of the Alabama defense

[RTB X Bot]

Junior Da’Ron Payne, Alabama’s next star defensive lineman, has apparently been living in the weight room for years, eager for his chance to lead for the Tide’s dominant defensive front. So much so, that he’s been putting up some ridiculous numbers in the weight room this spring.

During his media availability Thursday, Payne revealed his latest incredible achievements in the weight room: 545 pounds on the bench press, 600 pounds while squatting – his favorite activity in the weight room.

“They let me push it a lot this spring,” Payne said. “I know I did 545 on the bench, like 600 something on squats.”

When asked if any of his teammates give him a hard time about his gaudy weight room numbers, Payne admitted most of them don’t even believe the numbers until they see him in action.

“Most of them don’t believe I can do it until they see it,” Payne said.

While playing nose guard in a 3-4 defense may not be the most glamorous position, the success of the Alabama defense starts with Payne doing the dirty work in between the tackles. Considering his achievements in the weight room, it’s no wonder the Crimson Tide have led the nation in run defense each of the last two seasons.

 

[#80]

Many on this board may laugh at me but for some time I have felt that this guy can be as good or better than Jonathan Allen.

 

[EasyTider]

Many on this board may laugh at me but for some time I have felt that this guy can be as good or better than Jonathan Allen.

Different skill set IMO, but would agree on as important to the DL as JA

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Always wondered why our guys seem to not rep out all that great on the 225 bench at the combine. Obviously, the NFL gauges explosive strength and endurance as more important than one rep max.

Remember when Trent was verified at benching 500 lbs but only slung 225 up like 17 times at the combine when he said his goal was 40 reps?

Makes you wonder what Cochran focuses on. Clearly its not 225 reps. Not doubting his overall body of work, which speaks for itself. Just wondering why we don't seem to set the standards sort of where the NFL does.

1RM is obviously important for gauging overall strength, but apparently not so much with the pros. Understandably so.

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

He’s been described as “strong as an ox” by former All-SEC defensive lineman and nine-year NFL veteran Marcus Spears. Other college football analyst have surmised that he could end up being one of the best defensive linemen of the Nick Saban era.

For now, thought, Da’Ron Payne is content with the now, and the now is being very good to him.

He bench presses 545 pounds and he squats more than 600.

It should come as no surprise that the squat is his favorite lift in the gym.

He weighs 312 pounds, though he’d like to get to 308 by the time the season begins.

That strength manifests itself on the field, like when he flattened the Clemson center into the Tigers’ end zone, blowing up the play.

Payne has transitioned to a leader on the team. Whether by necessity because of the departure of Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson or by natural elevation, Payne’s time is now.

Will he play exclusively inside or will he do both? Quite frankly, he doesn’t care.

“I don’t know, whatever coach needs me to do,” Payne said. “I’m willing to do whatever. I can do the 3-tech, the 2 or the nose guard.”

At Shades Valley High School, Payne tipped the scales at approximately 350 pounds. By the time of his first fall camp he weight 320. Now he’s smaller than ever.

“Just the way teams are playing now, it’s more fast-paced and just on the ball, on the ball. I just got to get ready for that,” he said.

That leadership element, while new, is something Payne welcomes. He’s seen every great defensive teammate before him take on the responsibility and now it’s just his turn.

“It’s something new, because being from where I came from, I just like to sit back and listen and just learn,” he said. “But now guys are coming to me asking me for advice and stuff. It’s something like a learning curve.

“Like all the guys on the D-line that I’ve played with. Like Jarran Reed, A’Shawn Robinson, Jon (Allen) Dalvin (Tomlinson), all those guys. I just try to take all the advice from them.”

Now it’s his turn to dispense the advice.

“It’s just something new because usually, like me, I’m not always asking them what can I do to do this, now they just come asking me for advice.”

Da'Ron Payne is now the strength of the Alabama defense | TideSports.com