Lawson, Overton Named to Lott IMPACT Watchlist

Two veteran defenders for the Crimson Tide have been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist for the 2025 college football season.

LT Overton and Denotae Lawson are two seniors returning to Alabama for their final season of eligibility. Both defenders made significant contributions to the Crimson Tide last season as veteran playmakers in Kane Wommack's defense.

Deontae Lawson - The Captain of the Defense

Lawson is the only returning captain from Alabama's 2024 roster. He was named one of four captains in the preseason, joining Jalen Milroe, Tyler Booker, and Malachi Moore as captains for the Crimson Tide. Milroe, Booker, and Moore all went to the NFL draft, while Lawson returned to the Crimson Tide for his fifth and final season of eligibility.

Lawson was a force to be reckoned with in the middle of a top-ten Alabama unit last season, totaling 76 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception in 11 games for Alabama last season. His top performance came in the Tide's 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers, where he had 11 tackles, three solo tackles, and one sack.

Lawson's 2024 season was cut short due to a knee injury he suffered during Alabama's 24-3 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners. Lawson previously said that had he not gotten injured, he would have gone to the NFL draft. However, because of the injury, he decided to return to the Crimson Tide for a fifth and final season.

LT Overton - A Game Wrecker Off the Edge

LT Overton is returning to Tuscaloosa for his second season with the Crimson Tide, but his fourth season of college football. He had a career year in his junior campaign with the Crimson Tide, totaling 42 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

The 6-foot-5, 283-pound Milton, Georgia, native considered going to the NFL draft, but decided to return to Tuscaloosa for his final year of eligibility. With a refocused emphasis on finishing plays in the offensive backfield, Overton looks to be the premier edge rusher for the Crimson Tide in 2025 and solidify his draft stock as a future first-round pick in the NFL.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the best defensive player in college football. Former Crimson Tide stars who have won the award include edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and DeMeco Ryans.

Several other former Tide defenders have been named finalists for the award, including Dallas Turner, Patrick Surtain II, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Allen, Landon Collins, Dont'a Hightower, and Rolando McClain.

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_.