Michigan football likes to proclaim 'the best players in Michigan go to Michigan,' but that's not always the case. Some top talent in-state have tended to look elsewhere, especially if they're one of the higher-rated players in the country.

It was a crazy day in terms of transfer portal recruiting for Michigan football. The Wolverines had appeared to have gotten a commitment and a signing from former Belleville (Mich.) five-star defensive tackle Damon Payne — who has been at Alabama since 2021 — but that’s when things went haywire.

There was some back-and-forth, but ultimately, former Alabama Crimson Tide DL Damon Payne will sign with the Michigan Wolverines. Payne reportedly initially signed with the Wolverines Wednesday morning,