ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Damon Payne Jr. shared his priorities during the bye week.
“Just recover my body, focus on my technique, correct things that messed up throughout the season,” Payne said.
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Wink Martindale
Payne spoke highly of his relationship with coach Wink Martindale.
“I love coach Wink. He’s always promising, keeps his composure. He’s a calm dude. Great guy to be around. Funny guy. I’ve realized that, and he’s just always looking to improve the players, and he really cares about us,” Payne said.
Evaluating his individual play and the defensive line as a whole, Payne said:
“So far this season, I say I probably played pretty well, and it’s always room to improve. I want to improve, want to do more for the team, but so far I say my role has been pretty good. I’ve been doing what I was supposed to do and helping us throughout the season.”
On the defensive line unit’s chemistry, Payne added:
“Our goal is to be connected. We hang around each other all the time outside the facility. Just being brothers, just being connected, and that’s our goal, just to bring that onto the field, how we play, how we communicate, how we know each other’s stories, how we play for each other. It’s just what we do.”
Areas of improvement
Payne identified specific areas he is working to improve.
“Improving my game, I’d say just focus on pass rush, improving that, just keep my pass lower throughout the game. And those are my two main focuses at the moment,” Payne said.
When asked about watching college football recently, Payne said:
“I try not to watch, try not to get emotionally attached to the games, watching football like that. Whether it’s just watching film, I just stick to that.”
Returning to Michigan
Payne shared his experience transferring back to the University of Michigan.
“I took my brother to practice yesterday. So, it’s great being home just around family, around a new family I created here. It’s just been great,” Payne said.
Rayshaun Benny
Payne praised teammate Rayshaun Benny for his leadership.
“Rayshaun, that’s my guy, man. He a funny dude. He led me the way when I got here. Showed me the ropes, ways around the facility, what to do, and invited me over to his house plenty of times. We’re family now. Hard worker, always improving, always. And he’s a very coachable guy, and he likes to coach players, too. So, he’s helped me. Every time I make a mistake, he’s saying, ‘Hey, do this right. Hey, your foot was right here.’ Or that’s just not how you’re supposed to do it. Just a great leader overall, great person.”
Filling the shoes of previous DTs
On filling the shoes of previous defensive tackles, Payne said:
“We just like to say every year it’s going to be different. No matter what it is, something’s going to be different, and we take on that and we embrace it. We work our best to improve on what we need to, and that’s just our philosophy.”
Reflections and mindset
Reflecting on the difference between early and later games this season, Payne said:
“Just experience and overall more connection amongst the guys, learning how to play with each other. Adapting throughout the season to the different challenges and different changes. So, just constantly focusing on improving week to week, day by day.”
Alabama and Michigan
Payne described his mindset about his role compared to his time at Alabama.
“I just like to focus on whatever my role is for the team, and I embrace it. I like to say whatever I do, try to be the best at it, get my best at it, and just keep my mindset positive throughout everything,” Payne said.
“I don’t really see much difference as far as work-wise. Work doesn’t stop, no matter where you go. It’s a little colder here, but it’s about it. It’s nice having a 70-degree day over 95, so it’s pretty cool that way.”
Rod Moore
Payne shared how the team reacted to Rod Moore‘s return.
“It was kind of like just suspense, like waiting for somebody to come back. You know, it’s coming. It was just a great thing I noticed from the team from day one. Just the anticipation of waiting for him to come back and seeing his work ethic to come back was a great story to see. And I only seen a short bit of it, but I know that he means a lot. He means a lot to me and the rest of the team as well.”
Payne explained what Moore means to the team.
“He brings an example. Whenever if you’re struggling, if you don’t know what to do, you look at Rod and you just know, and he shows you the way,” Payne said.
Mista Payne
Asked about his nickname, “Mista Payne,” he said:
“I got a lot of nicknames, man. I just like to be around the guys, man. They embrace me. I’m a funny dude around them. So, it’s a lot. You saw when coach Sherrone Moore seen me just a minute ago."
His favorite nickname is:
“They say ‘it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s D Payne coming through.’ I love it when they say that. I joke around with them all the time, and it’s just fun.”
Transfer experience
Payne described the experience of being a transfer.
“Oh yeah, it’s like the first day of school, pretty much. Just feeling it out, knowing the guys, them embracing you. I say I compared to that and it’s been a great transition.”
Wisconsin Badgers
Looking ahead to the game against Wisconsin, which is known for its defense while being physical, Payne said:
“Exactly what you said. Match it. Whatever, that’s just overwhelming with the physicality, and have a good game. But they’re a great team. Hard workers with good tradition, and I’m excited to play them.”