Kane Wommack provides Positive Injury Update on Deontae Lawson

Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson was having a career season in 2024, with highs in tackles, pass breakups, forced fumbles, and interceptions while being one sack away from tying his career high. Lawson revealed earlier in the offseason that had he not suffered an ACL tear in Alabama's 24-3 loss to Oklahoma on November 23, he would have declared for the 2025 NFL draft alongside his partner in crime, Jihaad Campbell.

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Lawson's ACL tear changed the trajectory of his career, however. Instead of waiting in anticipation this weekend to hear his name called by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Lawson will be in the Alabama training room, a room he's become all too familiar with over the last five months.

Lawson missed the entirety of spring practice following ACL surgery, but his recovery is going well, according to Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.

"He's handling his rehab similar to how you'd think he is," Wommack told WNSP in Mobile, Alabama, on Tuesday morning. "He's a total pro. He's farther ahead than when most people are at this stage of his rehab. I'm excited to see as gets to do more and more things this summer and obviously to be able to go into fall camp and get himself healthy and ready. I'm excited for him."

Lawson was viewed as one of the top inside linebackers in the NFL draft prior to his injury against Oklahoma. While off-ball linebackers aren't typically drafted early in the draft, Lawson stood a high chance of hearing his name called on day two of the NFL draft. He earned All-SEC Third Team honors and was a Butkus Award semifinalist for the second straight season, totaling 76 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception during his abbreviated 2024 campaign.

"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," Wommack said. "But I think as I reflect on it, he made the right decision. I'm excited and focused on kind of trying to do what I can to maximize his opportunities for his last season."

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker from Mobile returned to Alabama as the only co-captain from the 2024 season to return. Jalen Milroe, Tyler Booker, and Malachi Moore all declared for the NFL draft after the 2024 season.

Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is excited for Lawson to contribute and improve his draft stock for the 2206 NFL draft.

"D-Law is one of my favorite players I've ever gotten to coach," Wommack said. "His elite trait is to anticipate, diagnose, and play the game right with instinct. He's a tremendous communicator. He's really my voice on the field, and so I kind of work through him on the green dot communication that we started this past season, like the NFL has had.

"I don't think there's a question that he makes the transition to the NFL next year. He can handle anything that you put on his shoulders mentally, physically, and all of that."

Lawson will be joined by redshirt senior Justin Jefferson and graduate Nikhai Hill-Green as commanders of the Alabama defense this season. Jefferson transferred to Alabama from junior college as a member of the Tide's 2022 recruiting class. Hill-Green joined the Crimson Tide this offseason after earning All-Big 12 Second Team recognition at Colorado last season.

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_.