LEXINGTON - Kentucky football remains a contender for many of the top recruits in Michigan.
But unlike a year ago when Mark Stoops' staff shocked the college football world by landing five-star Oak Park, Michigan, defensive lineman Justin Rogers, the Wildcats have lost the top prospect in the Wolverine state to Alabama in the 2021 class.
Five-star defensive lineman Damon Payne committed to Alabama on Sunday over Kentucky, Michigan State, USC, Arizona State and others. While there remains some hope for UK's staff that Payne will still visit other schools once the NCAA's COVID-19 recruiting travel ban is lifted, it remains rare for top prospects to flip their commitments from the Crimson Tide.