Report: Alabama LB Deontae Lawson to return to school for 2024 season

Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson will return to school for the 2024 season, according to a report from ESPN’s Chris Low.

Low posted an update on Lawson and multiple other Alabama players on Thursday.

“Alabama CBs Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold plan to enter the 2024 NFL draft and won’t return to the Crimson Tide next season, sources tell ESPN,” Low posted. “However, starting LB Deontae Lawson and starting DB Malachi Moore have told coaches they plan to return.”

Lawson recorded 67 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, in 2023.

The Mobile, Ala. native signed with the Crimson Tide for the class of 2021. He was ranked as a four-star recruit and the No. 48 overall player in the country, according to the On3 Industry rankings.

Lawson had a big game for the Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl against Michigan, finishing with six tackles and two pass breakups in the double-overtime loss.

He redshirted in 2021, appearing in four games. In 2022, Lawson played in 11 games and made four starts. He finished that year with 51 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He really saw his role increase this past season, starting every game he was healthy enough to play in, while helping the Crimson Tide reach the College Football Playoff.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.