Nick Saban praises Alabama LB Deontae Lawson: 'He helps everybody else play better'

Alabama head coach Nick Saban likes what he sees from Deontae Lawson. On Monday, Saban evaluated his linebacker’s season thus far.

“He’s played really, really well,” Saban said. “We really miss him when he’s not out there when he missed the [Mississippi State] game. His Leadership is great. I think he helps everybody else play better with his communication, signal calling.”

As only a redshirt sophomore, Lawson has been pivotal for the Crimson Tide this season. Lawson boasts 31 tackles this season, the fourth-most on the team. Lawson also has recorded two sacks and a pass defended.

Lawson’s numbers are a significant step forward from last season when he saw the majority of his minutes on specials team. Lawson finished the 2022 campaign with 51 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, to go with four pass breakups.

“His performance has been very good,” Saban said. “He’s a very conscientious guy that is a good athlete and has the ability to make plays. He’s putting himself in the right place to do it because he’s so conscientious as a player.”

After missing Alabama’s 40-17 win over Mississippi State due to a sprained ankle, Lawson made his presence felt in the Crimson Tide’s narrow win against Texas A&M on Saturday. In the triumph, Lawson tallied five tackles.

Nick Saban predicted Deontae Lawson’s success

For Saban, Lawson’s impressive first half of the 2023 campaign is no surprise. The 71-year-old coach complimented the 6-foot-2 Mike linebacker in late August for his preseason growth.

“Deontae’s done a really, really good job,” Saban said. “He’s kind of taken over the signal-caller duties, which I think is a huge responsibility but yet something that is probably the most important thing, especially for the front seven in terms of alignment, adjustment, calls that need to get made, whether you’re pressuring, getting lined up the right way to play whether it’s to or away from the back.

“A lot of guys, they’re a little apprehensive about taking on that responsibility, and he’s very confident in it. He’s done a great job of it. He’s played really well, set a great example in terms of how he practices, how he plays, how he communicates. And I think that’s been a significant improvement in how we’ve played up front on defense, and it’ll be important that we can continue that throughout the season.”

Lawson will look to lead Alabama’s defense again this weekend. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide will face off against Arkansas at noon ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.