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Michigan State Football: Elite in-state 2021 DE Damon Payne receives offer

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans watches action during a game against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans watches action during a game against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State has offered one of the top recruits in the state of Michigan in 2021 Belleville defensive end product Damon Payne.

Although the 2019 class is the main focus for Mark Dantonio and his staff, the veteran head coach has his eye on the future. Looking to keep the Belleville pipeline alive, Dantonio offered elite 2021 defensive end Damon Payne.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 takeaways from 2018 spring game

Yes, Payne was just a freshman in 2017, but he has an extremely bright future. He already holds offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Penn State and USC, among others. You almost never hear about first-year prep players earning a handful of offers, but Payne holds nearly 20.

Payne could join fellow Belleville-natives in East Lansing for their college careers such as incoming freshman cornerback Davion Williams and 2019 athlete commit Julian Barnett. Gabe Brown is also headed to East Lansing for basketball after playing for Belleville and five-star 2019 offensive tackle Devontae Dobbs seems to be leaning toward the green and white.

The Spartans may be slightly late to the scholarship party, but being a pipeline for Belleville prospects, Michigan State stands a good chance.

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 255 pounds, he’s already a monster prospect with three years left of high school ball.

Payne can play both sides of the ball as a defensive end and offensive guard, but he seems to be unblockable on defense. He’s quick off the snap and just overpowers opposing linemen. It’s hard to believe he’s so young as he stands out on tape on an elite team.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 must-have 2019 targets

Although he’s not yet ranked by 247Sports, he will likely be a highly-rated four-star prospect when the 2021 rankings are released.

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