Alabama football captain and star inside linebacker Deontae Lawson announced on Saturday night that he would be returning for his final year of eligibility with the Crimson Tide in 2025, solidifying Alabama as one of the best defenses in the country on paper for next season.
Lawson announced his intentions on his Instagram, joining Tim Keenan III and Justin Jefferson, who both announced their intentions to return to Tuscaloosa next season.
Deontae Lawson will return to Alabama in 2025. pic.twitter.com/JuB8YNOcdE
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) January 5, 2025
Lawson was in the midst of an outstanding redshirt junior season until he suffered a season-ending injury in Alabama's road loss to Oklahoma in November. Lawson was likely set to forego his final season of eligibility until the injury that would have made it difficult for him to participate in the NFL combine and his Pro Day at Alabama.
Jihaad Campbell announced earlier in the week he would declare for the NFL Draft, but with Lawson and Jefferson returning along with the addition of transfer LB Nikhai Hill-Green from Colorado, the Crimson Tide should be formidable in the middle of the defense.
Alabama finished 10th in yards per play defense in 2024 in Kane Wommack's first season as the defensive coordinator. The Crimson Tide improved all year and really locked in following a disappointing performance in Nashville in a loss to Vanderbilt.
With Lawson returning, Alabama not only gets one of the best linebackers in college football back to anchor the middle of their defense, it also gets one of its best leaders. Lawson was the green dot all year until his injury. His leadership and intangibles are just as important for next year's Crimson Tide team as his ability on the field.
Alabama has one more big decision defensively it is waiting on with CB Domani Jackson not yet announcing whether he's returning to Alabama or entering the NFL Draft. If Jackson returns, I'm not sure there's a more talented defense in the country, at least on paper.