According to defensive line coach Lou Esposito, Damon Payne, a transfer from Alabama, was one of Michigan football's highest-graded players up front against New Mexico.
The 6-foot-4, 311-pounder who spent the past four years at Alabama, was stellar in his Michigan football debut with three tackles and a tackle for loss.
That's why Esposito was quick to praise Payne this week, when meeting with the media. The former five-star recruit was a little overlooked heading into the season, which is easy to happen on a defensive line as deep as Michigan's.