Michigan football will play in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve against the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, like many non-College Football Playoff teams, the Michigan Wolverines are using this month to prepare for their bowl game and work the ever-evolving transfer portal. On Wednesday, Michigan snagged former Alabama defensive lineman Damon Payne via the portal. Three hours later, Payne’s signed documents “have been nullified,” per multiple sources, adding a wrinkle to the Wolverines’ quest to add through the portal.
Michigan football has added four players via the transfer portal this postseason, including TJ and Tevis Metcalf from the Arkansas Razorbacks. Nonetheless, adding Payne, a former top-50 prospect in the 2021 class, would highlight Michigan’s recruiting efforts. With the Wolverines struggling to finalize their deal with Payne, college football fans, including those loyal to Ohio State, quickly bashed the program on social media.
Michigan Football Clowned By Fans Amid Recruiting Debacle
According to On3’s Pete Nakos:
Alabama defensive lineman Damon Payne’s signed documents have been nullified, @On3sports has learned.
They were signed at roughly 9:30 a.m. ET
Per Anthony Boone of @TheWolverineOn3, former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Damon Payne signed with Michigan football early Wednesday morning. Following public celebration from fans, staffers, and coaches, Payne’s agent contacted On3 to dispute claims of the defender’s intent to join the Wolverines. Michigan is still in the mix, but as of Wednesday afternoon, Payne’s recruiting remains open.
Payne, a five-star recruit per the 247Sports COMPOSITE rankings, signed with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2021. He also had offers from Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, LSU, Oregon, Penn State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Syracuse, and Purdue. He has recorded 30 tackles, three TFLs, and two fumble recoveries during his three years with Alabama. With Payne’s transfer portal commitment to Michigan football lasting just a few hours, fans clowned the program on Twitter:
The wildest part is that Damon Payne leaves Michigan with as many wins in The Game as Jack Sawyer. https://t.co/B3Zke2flTW
— Bryan Mac (@Bry_Mac) December 18, 2024
Must have smelled campus.
— H. Clay Aalders (@KnifeTruth) December 18, 2024
LMFAOOOOOO
— Ohio Groyper 🍎 (@OhioGrypr) December 18, 2024
Michigan ran out of money. They spent half on their spy network and the other half on Underwood 😭
— B (@GoBucks5240) December 18, 2024
He stepped 1 foot on campus and was like pic.twitter.com/r66RGrMjwj
— Shorty (@ShortyOSU) December 18, 2024
Must have heard about the sanctions
— Intrinsic (@intrinsicvalyou) December 18, 2024
This is where we are in college football. You literally can't tell who's on the team hour to hour let alone week to week or season to season. Almost impossible for a coaching staff to handle this.
— Spencer Adkins (@SpencerWeather) December 18, 2024
Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money!
— Schuyler_29 (@Ranger_0629) December 18, 2024
Damon Payne:
"So I can't keep the money?!" pic.twitter.com/Ucm5d13gS5— Lex Luthor (@LuthorCorp1) December 18, 2024
Damon Payne Jr. with disappearing ink…in 2024? pic.twitter.com/59GsYbQj8h
— Sports Jim III (@SportsAndChup) December 18, 2024
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