What Michigan Football DL Damon Payne Jr. brings to the Kansas City Chiefs
Belleville native Damon Payne Jr. is seeking to be drafted after four years with Alabama and one with Michigan Football. Here’s our NFL Draft Profile:
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Damon Payne #44 of the Michigan Wolverines breaks up a pass by Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns during the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Dustin Markland/Getty Images) | Getty Images A one-time five-star recruit out of Belleville, Michigan, defensive lineman Damon Payne Jr. is hoping to hear his name called during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Payne was heavily recruited by all the national powers before going to Alabama for four years. He then spent his graduate year at Michigan, where he was a rotational lineman for the Wolverines. Quick Facts Height: 6-foot-3 3/8 Weight: 308 Arm Length: 32” Hand Length: 9.
5” Short Shuttle: 4. 82 3-Cone: 7. 93 Bench: 20 Draft Day Age: 23 Career Stats: 46 tackles, 1 pass deflection, 0.
5 sacks Strengths Payne displays a low pad-level and can hold up to double-teams Explosive lower-body strength allows him to stay off the ground Weaknesses He’s more of a run-stuffer who is not a pass-rushing threat Payne struggles to disengage from blockers. Summary Payne was an elite prospect coming out of high school. A five-star out of Belleville High School in Belleville, Michigan, he was just one spot behind TreVeyon Henderson and one spot ahead of J.