Alabama turning to Justin Jefferson at linebacker following Deontae Lawson's injury

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer revealed unfortunate news for the Crimson Tide defense on Monday afternoon as he announced that starting inside linebacker Deontae Lawson will miss the remainder of the season with an injury he suffered against Oklahoma on Saturday.

Lawson started every game for Alabama so far this season, as is the second-leading tackler on the team with 76 on the season, only trailing his fellow inside linebacker Jihaad Campbell. Not only has he been extremely effective on the football field, Lawson was also named a team captain by his teammates at the start of the season.

“I think when you lose a guy that is really, he’s kind of your steady maker in the box, does such a great job with the green dot communication, and is such a leader for our guys and a great communicator on the field, that’s a tough loss, for sure,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said.

When Lawson went down against Oklahoma, Alabama inserted senior linebacker Justin Jefferson, who’s served as the team’s primary substitution inside linebacker this season. Jefferson finished the game with six tackles.

“I think our guys have stepped up. Justin Jefferson stepped up in the second half and really did a good job kind of going in and playing the stinger, the weakside position for us,” Wommack said.

An added difficulty to Lawson’s exit was that he’s been the Alabama defense’s helmet communicator all season, the primary contact point between the defense on the field and the coaches on their headsets. Only one player on each side of the ball is allowed to use helmet communication, so with Lawson out of the game, those duties now fall to Jefferson for the remainder of the season.

“Justin Jefferson has been doing that all season as kind of our No. 2 there in that position and has done a really great job,” Wommack said. “Obviously Jihaad can do it, it’s just Jihaad plays so many different positions for us. It’s hard when a guy’s moving around like that for him to be the green dot communication. We’ve got two guys that certainly can handle it, but Justin will take the majority of the responsibility.”

Jefferson is in his second year in the Alabama program, transferring in from the JUCO ranks prior to the 2023 season. Though he hasn’t been a starter, he still ranks fourth on the team int tackles on the season, along with two sacks and a forced fumble.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer expressed his full confidence in Jefferson to take over the additional responsibilities that will be asked of him.

“Justin’s physical. He’s a guy you can count on. He’s really trustworthy. He pours everything into it. He has a team-first mind-set,” DeBoer said. “Going through spring ball and him trying to figure out his role, I remember talking at the time just … he’s been ready whenever called upon. He’s worked through his things here and there with injuries. But any guy is looking forward to that moment, and I know that along with the disappointment that we always have and how much we love Deontae, we’re also excited about the next man up and the opportunity that creates for him. We’re all fans of him and want him to go out there and be great and we’re confident in him.”

In addition to Jefferson, Wommack cited Alabama’s other young inside linebackers that may need to be called upon with the depth in the room now thinned.

“We’ve got some young guys that I think are trending in the right direction right now with Jeremiah Alexander and Justin Okoronkwo, Cayden Jones,” Wommack said. “Those guys are doing a nice job, they’re obviously going to have to continue that. This week is going to be very important. Like everybody, you’re going to have some of these injuries that you have to deal with. It’s got to be a next-man-up mentality and I think our guys have the right mindset in terms of what they’re going to be required to do on gameday.”