The Washington Redskins selected defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne in the first round (No. 13 overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Payne (6-2, 311) played in 44 games at Alabama from 2015-17. During his time with the Crimson Tide, Payne compiled 102 tackles (39 solo), 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception. Payne was an integral part of an Alabama defense that helped the team qualify for three consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship berths, including titles following the 2015 and 2017 campaigns.
Last season, Payne totaled 53 tackles (21 solo), three pass breakups, one fumble recovery, 1.0 sack, one interception and one offensive touchdown in 14 games, earning first-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press. In the Sugar Bowl, he recorded his first career interception, returned it 21 yards and then capped the ensuing drive with a one-yard touchdown reception. He garnered Defensive MVP honors in both the Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship.
As a sophomore in 2016, Payne tallied 36 tackles (12 solo), 1.5 sacks and one pass breakup in 15 games. He also scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career at Ole Miss on a three-yard return of a fumble forced by current Redskins linebacker Ryan Anderson. He also appeared in all 15 games as a freshman in 2015, contributing 13 tackles (six solo), a half-sack and a forced fumble.
Payne, 20, attended Shades Valley High School in Irondale, Ala., where he was rated as a five-star prospect and the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama by Rivals.com. He was born May 27, 1997.