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Deontae Lawson update: Alabama DC offers latest on injured LB

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby:Charlie Potter•04/22/25•

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Alabama LB Deontae Lawson (1)
Alabama LB Deontae Lawson (Courtesy of UA Athletics)

Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson missed all of spring practice as he continues to recover from a season-ending knee injury he suffered in 2024. But Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack provided a positive update on the redshirt senior’s progress.

“He’s handling his rehab similar to how you would think he is – he’s a total pro,” said Wommack in an interview with WNSP 105.5 FM. “He’s farther ahead than where most people are at this stage of his rehab, and excited to see as he gets to do more and more things this summer, and then obviously, to be able to go into fall camp and get himself healthy and ready. 

“So I’m excited for him.”

Earlier this week, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about Lawson at a fundraiser in Mobile, the linebacker’s hometown, and shared how he was involved in spring camp.

“Deontae’s doing an amazing job,” DeBoer said, via AL.com. “While he’s been coming back from his injury of just being a leader, coaching, being engaged, that’s hard to do. That’s harder than people realize, and he’s been right there in the middle of it all.

“And this guy eats, sleeps, and breathes football. He’s all about Alabama, and he wants to leave this place on a high note, not just for himself, but the program.

“And so he’s been extremely engaged. We’ve had more talks this last couple months than we had time to do all last season, so that’s been really enjoyable on my end.”

Lawson tore his ACL in Alabama’s November 23 loss at Oklahoma. Prior to his injury, the inside linebacker recorded 76 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one interception. Voted a team captain before the season, Lawson was on his way to the NFL before the injury and chose to return to college for one more year.

“I think it was a very hard decision, and one that we didn’t want to overstep, because I wanted him to do what he felt he needed to do in terms of either staying or going on to the NFL. But I think as I reflect on it, he made the right decision, and I’m excited to try to do what I can to maximize his opportunity this last season.”

Lawson was unable to participate in Alabama’s spring football season but will look to be back for the 2025 season opener against Florida State. He was the signal-caller of the defense last year, and having him on the field benefits Wommack and the rest of the Crimson Tide.

“One of my favorite players I’ve ever gotten to coach,” Wommack said. “I tell everybody his elite trait is his ability to anticipate, diagnose and play the game with instinct. And he’s a tremendous communicator. He’s really my voice on the field, and so I work through him with the green-dot communication that we started this past season, like the NFL has had. 

“I don’t think there’s a question, as he makes that transition to the NFL next year, he can handle anything that you put on his shoulders, mentally, physically, all that.”

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