Five-star defensive lineman Damon Payne verbally committed to Alabama on Sunday on CBS Sports HQ.

The top-ranked defensive tackle and the No. 14 overall recruit in the nation, Payne gives Alabama its seventh commitment of the month and 16th overall for 2021. Payne chose the Crimson Tide over 26 other scholarship offers. Alabama was part of his recently-compiled list of finalists that also included Arizona State, Kentucky, Michigan State and USC.

During the moments following his announcement, Payne said committing to Alabama felt like his best available option. “I feel like I got a chance to play for the greatest university out right now,” he told CBS Sports. “I feel like I have a chance to make a lot of opportunities for myself and do a lot of great things in the future.”

He added in an interview with 247Sports that playing for Alabama was in the back of his mind throughout the recruiting journey. He and head coach Nick Saban had been building a relationship since he took an unofficial visit to Alabama his sophomore year. During the visit, Saban offered him a scholarship, he told 247Sports.

Payne also said he would have committed to the Crimson Tide sooner, but didn’t want to make a quick decision, per 247Sports.

In his scouting report, 247Sports national writer Charles Power compared Payne to Detroit Lions defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson. Power praised Payne’s athleticism and active style that often makes him a threat in terms of pass-rushing. He considers Payne as a player with the attributes to be “a multi-year starter at the Power Five level.”