TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Talk about lofty expectations.

Returning Alabama starter Raekwon Davis said one of the Crimson Tide’s freshman defensive linemen reminds him of former Alabama All-American and first-round NFL draft pick Daron Payne.

That player is early enrollee DJ Dale, who has been impressive this spring.

“He plays just like Daron Payne,” Davis said Tuesday in interviews with local reporters.

This statement comes three days after Dale took some reps with the first-team defense this past Saturday during the Crimson Tide’s second of three spring scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The head-turning buzz has been consistent since the Clay-Chalkville (Ala.) High School product joined the Alabama football program prior to the 2019 College Football Playoff last December.

“DJ is playing some with the ones at nose,” said head coach Nick Saban following the 135-play spring scrimmage. “He’s got good initial quickness, good power, strikes, seems to be pretty conscientious, shows a little maturity about being able to go out there and do his job.”

A 4-star recruit out of Pinson, Ala., Dale was the nation’s 18th-ranked defensive tackle and the No. 9 player in the state of Alabama for the 2019 cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Alabama defensive tackle DJ Dale

“For a young guy, he plays like he’s been here for a while,” Davis said. “He’s great. He’s a great learner. You can teach him quick. I mean, he came in good, like good with his technique. … (His maturity) shows a lot. It shows that if a hard game’s on the line, I would trust him on my side. It tells me a lot about him. He’s just a hard-working kid. He came in just grinding.”

Payne was a three-year starter at nose tackle for the Crimson Tide from 2015-17 and was taken with the 13th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Payne was known for his strength and ability to take on multiple blockers in the middle of UA’s defensive line.

So, the fact that one of its newcomers is being compared to Payne is a promising development this spring. Dale, however, is setting his sights beyond what Payne accomplished in three seasons.

“He just laughs,” Davis said. “He tells me he’s going to be better than Daron Payne.”

Dale and Alabama will return to the practice field this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. CT for practice No. 13. Saturday’s A-Day Game (1 p.m. CT on ESPN2) will be the 15th and final practice of the spring.

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).

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