Washington took Da’Ron Payne, a defensive tackle from Alabama, with the 13th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Flash back to something incredible Payne did on New Year’s Eve:
300-pound Washington DT pick Da’Ron Payne had TWO RIDICULOUS PLAYS WITH THE BALL WITHIN 8 SUGAR BOWL PLAYS
All you can do is stand and applaud.
The Piesman Trophy — given to a lineman who does something impressive with the ball in his hands — has already been given out this year. Much like the Heisman, All-America selections, and various other awards, it doesn’t take into account things that happen during bowl season. But if it did, this play would be a frontrunner:
And this play, just moments later, would be a frontrunner too:
Those are both the same guy.
Alabama defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne came away with an interception during the Tide’s Sugar Bowl Playoff semifinal against Clemson. The pick itself was unremarkable. Clemson’s Kelly Bryant was hit as he threw, and the ball fortuitously caromed into the waiting, beefy arms of Payne. That’s all fine and good.
Payne set himself apart with his athleticism and grace after making the interception. His runback went for a whopping 21 yards. This is the part of the blog post where I inform you that Payne is 6’2 and 308 pounds. That is a haul, and Payne made sure he got his money’s worth to set up the Tide with great field position.
And then he finished the drive seven plays later by catching a freaking 1-yard touchdown pass on a bootleg from Jalen Hurts.
Payne can’t win the Piesman, but he has earned our eternal respect.
See More:
