Alabama defensive lineman Damon Payne had no mixed emotions at all when he learned on Dec. 3 who the Crimson Tide would be playing in the College Football Playoff.

A Michigan native who grew up in the Detroit suburbs, Payne said he was “thrilled” when he saw Alabama’s name pop up on the screen as Michigan’s opponent for the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. As part of the Crimson Tide’s defensive line rotation, he’ll get his first opportunity to play his home-state team in Pasadena on Monday.

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“It’s like a dream come true getting to play your home-state school,” Payne said. “I never thought it would happen, especially this way. But I’m just excited to get it going, excited to play my home-state team and see how it goes.”

Payne was a composite 5-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of Belleville (Mich.) High School, and had offers from most of the big-time programs in the country. He ultimately chose the Crimson Tide over both Michigan and Michigan State, along with Ohio State, Georgia, Florida State and others.

The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Payne redshirted as a freshman, then got into six games and recorded seven tackles in 2022. He has steadily earned more playing time this season, appearing in all 13 games with eight tackles as part of an Alabama defensive front that rotates a half-dozen or more players at the three interior line positions.

“Payne’s done a really good job; he’s improved a lot,” defensive line coach Freddie Roach said. “He played some last year, is playing a good amount this year and we look forward to watching him play even more. He works his butt off. He’s really good kid, mature kid, who helps the young guys out.”

Payne said he never watched much college football growing up, though he had family members on both sides of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry. He did begin attending games in both Ann Arbor and East Lansing as the recruiting process began to heat up during his sophomore season of high school.

That was when Alabama and Nick Saban entered the picture. The seven-time national championship coach quickly won Payne over by promising him nothing more than an opportunity.

“He stays true to his word,” Payne said of Saban. “He’s never lied to me, never steered me the wrong way. He’s a guy who would do anything for you.”

When the world learned along with Payne that Alabama would be facing Michigan in the Rose Bowl, naturally he began to hear from family members and friends back in his home state. The general consensus is that while they are rooting for Payne personally to succeed, they are not necessarily pulling for Alabama to win on Monday.

“That’s just been a crazy experience,” Payne said, “but I enjoy it all.”

Kickoff for Monday’s Rose Bowl game is set for 4 p.m. Central, with television coverage on ESPN.