Alabama’s defense should be a top-three or top-five group nationally in the fall.
Kane Wommack, the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator, persuaded several veteran players to forgo the 2025 NFL Draft and return to school for the college football season.
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Fans are excited about the Tide’s secondary, but its linebacker position is strong –especially with the names Alabama brought back in the middle. Deontae Lawson, a Mobile (Ala.) native, returns for his fifth season at the program. He arrived as a four-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, yet now is the time for him to be the complete leader for this defense.
The 6-foot-2, 239-pounder totaled 76 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and an interception during his first year in the 4-2-5 defense.
Lawson suffered a leg injury in Alabama’s 3-28 loss to Oklahoma, but he will be ready to go for Wommack and the defense in the fall. The two-time Southeastern Conference Champion (2021, 2023) is regarded as the top linebacker for the 2026 NFL Draft, per Pro Football Focus.
10 Linebackers to Know in the 2026 NFL Draft♨️ pic.twitter.com/6tcHkcH5eM
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 18, 2025
Lawson has 194 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, 12 pass breakups, four quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and an interception across three years. He has a chance to become a first-round draft pick with a successful season. Hopefully, Lawson can stay healthy all year.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and writer for The Bama Standard. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
