Lawson Named Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalist

On Wednesday, Alabama football linebacker Deontae Lawson was named a semifinalist for college football's comeback player of the year award, recognizing college football student-athletes who have overcome injury, illness, or other circumstances. At the end of the season, three athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners, with the winners set to be announced on December 17 and recognized at the Fiesta Bowl on January 8, 2026.

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Lawson, a 6-foot-2, 217-pound redshirt senior from Mobile, Alabama, tore his ACL toward the end of Alabama's 2024 season, in the Crimson Tide's 24-3 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners. Lawson worked to return to Alabama's starting lineup in 2025 and has started all 12 games in the regular season for Alabama. Lawson has totaled a team-leading 69 tackles, three tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one quarterback hurry with the Crimson Tide this season.

Lawson has led an Alabama defense ranked top ten in scoring and total defense, and is one of just 16 two-time permanent captains in Alabama's history. He has helped lead Alabama to a 10-2 regular season record, with a 7-1 record in SEC play, and has helped the Crimson Tide return to the SEC Championship after a one-year hiatus. He has played in one prior SEC Championship in his career (2023) and was on Alabama's roster for another (2021).

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.