Deontae Lawson says Kevin Steele is emphasizing turnovers

In 2022, the Alabama Crimson Tide defense was ranked 105th in turnovers gained, forcing just 14 turnovers all season long. As star linebacker Deontae Lawson explained, new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is working hard to fix that during the season.

As Lawson explained, Steele is emphasizing the importance of the ball and the value of paying attention to the little details.

“Really just, the ball, generate more turnovers, which will lead to points,” Deontae Lawson said. “Really the same thing but the little things. It’s all about the little things. So, that’s what we’re trying to work on.”

Since 2018, Pete Golding had been the defensive coordinator at Alabama. However, following the end of the 2022 season, he chose to get a fresh start by taking the Ole Miss defensive coordinator position. It was a hire that Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was incredibly happy about. That hire also cleared the way for Kevin Steele to return to Alabama.

Deontae Lawson has multiple new coaches at Alabama this season, including Kevin Steele and inside linebackers coach Robert Bala. Recently, he broke down their approach as coaches.

“They came in, high-energy guys. Talking about Bala first, he [has] great energy, he’s a great coach, he’s very smart, so he’s bringing some fire to the inside backers,” Lawson said. “Kevin Steele, everybody knows Kevin Steele. He’s a great guy, hard worker, good coach. He’s just trying to bring the little things and make the little things right.”

Defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe explained that as long as Nick Saban is in Tuscaloosa, things aren’t going to change that much.

“I’ll be honest with you, it really hasn’t been that big of a difference because the defense is gonna stay the same. Coach Saban isn’t leaving, and he’s always in that meeting. He’s always spearheading things. It’s really no difference,” Eboigbe said.

“Everybody has their different ideologies and stuff like that. The best thing is Coach Steele has been here before, so is a guy that has been there, knows how Coach Saban likes things and knows the ins and outs of things. I feel like the best is having somebody that’s already been in the system. It’s been kind of like a seamless transition for him.”

Deontae Lawson on becoming a bigger leader

This offseason, Deontae Lawson is working to become a bigger leader on the Alabama defense. That’s an important gap for him to fill with the talented players who have moved on from the program.

“I feel like in my position, that’s something I have to do,” Lawson said. “Seeing guys like Henry (To’o To’o), (Jaylen) Moody. Following in their footsteps. It’s a role I had to step into.”