Roster countdown: 32 Lawson; 30 Campbell; 29 Ricks

Counting down the Alabama roster three players at a time. Next up for the 2023 series: inside linebackers Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell and cornerback Dezz Ricks.

32 ILB Deontae Lawson

2022: As a redshirt freshman, Lawson saw action in 11 games, making four starts at inside linebacker. Between special teams and defense, he amassed 51 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and four pass breakups. Picked up special teams player of the week honors from UA coaching following win over Texas.

Of note: After working through injuries each of the last two seasons, Lawson sat out team work during 2023 spring drills. Given that he racked up 15 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, in the final two games of the 2022 season, the expectation is for Lawson to be very much in the middle of things when fall camp gets underway later this week. In the way of pass coverage, Lawson is set to perform at a high level. Concerns for the Mobile native center more on his injury history to date and whether he can simultaneously run the show while providing the defense with the kind of full service presence previously reserved for Alabama’s best units of the Nick Saban era.

30 ILB Jihaad Campbell

2022: As a special teamer and defensive reserve, Campbell appeared in nine games as a true freshman. Lone tackle of debut campaign came while covering a kickoff at LSU.

Of note: A prime candidate for one of the two vacancies at inside linebacker, Campbell was front and center in the competition during the spring. With Lawson out, he teamed with UGA transfer Trezmen Marshall to work with the Crimson (first-team) defense in the A-Day game. In the scrimmage, Campbell recorded two solo tackles and a sack. In equipping himself for the physical demands that come with playing his position, a year of strength and bulk gains should serve Campbell well. Having edge experience in his background shows up when he rushes the passer. Keeping Campbell out of the top three inside — and the possibility of at least a situational role — will be difficult. At a minimum, the sophomore figures to be a central piece in UA’s kick coverage and return units.

29 CB Dezz Ricks

2022: After a year at Norview High School in Norfolk, Va., Ricks spent his final two seasons on the prep level at IMG Academy. Following his junior campaign, Ricks reclassified to the 2023 cycle. Checked in as the nation’s No. 2 cornerback, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Ricks enrolled at Alabama in January and took part in spring drills.

Of note: Ricks jumped right into the competition at corner in the spring, opening the most recent A-Day game with the White (second-team) defense. In validating his lofty recruiting ranking, the newcomer posted a scrimmage-high four pass breakups. He also gave up a couple of plays and was flagged for pass interference. While the physical attributes needed to succeed at his position were evident, the poise Ricks displayed while the managing highs and lows that come standard with the corner position — including each during the course of a single rep on multiple occasions — might have been the most encouraging aspect of his performance. And, again, we’re talking about a reclassifier here.

What we wrote about Ricks upon his signing in December: “Greasy hips show up when transitioning from backpedal or shuffle. Sticky in man coverage and capable of running a receiver’s route, an attribute that puts him in position to make plays on the ball.”

Previous:

35 Alexander; 34 Robinson; 33 Osborne
41 Braswell; 40 Blackshire; 36 Jackson
45 Ouzts; 44 Payne; 43 Murphy
49 Russaw; 48 Hibbett; 47 Smith
54 McVay; 52 Booker; 50 Smith
57 Pritchett; 56 McLaughlin; 55 Montgomery
65 Latham; 59 Barnes; 58 Brockermeyer
73 Alinen; 71 Dalcourt; 69 Ferguson
77 Roberts; 75 Formby; 74 Proctor
82 Hale; 81 Dippre; 80 Prentice
87 Lewis; 86 Burnip; 84 Niblack
90 Renaud; 89 Lockwood; 88 Kitsleman
93 Latham; 92 Eboigbe; 91 Oatis
96 Keenan; 95 Goodwine; 94 Hill
99 Hastings; 98 Burroughs; 97 Perry

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