TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Post-Season Decisions for Alabama Football Players: Deontae Lawson’s Reflective Journey
As the 2024-25 season drew to a close, several Alabama football players found themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the decision to either continue their collegiate careers or declare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
One such player, veteran linebacker Deontae Lawson, faced this decision amid the backdrop of a challenging season. Lawson’s campaign was cut short by a lower leg injury sustained during a tough loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, Oklahoma.
Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, Lawson served as a team captain and was revered for his leadership and on-field performance. With his season prematurely ended, Lawson took a step back to contemplate his future, especially the prospect of returning to Alabama for an additional year.
Reflections and Decisions
“Before the season, I was planning on declaring, but you know, stuff happens, and you never really know why. I put all my faith in the good Lord above, and it was best to take a step back. It wasn’t just about how I felt, but more about what my intuition was telling me. I had some deep talks with a lot of people, and my family played a huge role in this decision. Overall, I just don’t feel accomplished here yet. I don’t feel like I have things to prove, but I just don’t feel like my story is complete,” Lawson shared in an interview with Roger Hoover of the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
Leadership Lessons and Teammate Bonds
During his time with the Crimson Tide, Lawson learned invaluable lessons from his fellow captains. He expressed how his teammates introduced him to new aspects of leadership.
“I knew how to be a leader, but those guys showed me a different type of leadership. Like Tyler Booker, he showed me some different stuff as a leader. Malachi Moore, I’ve been with Malachi since I first got here, so we always talked about that [leadership]. After his [Malachi’s] freshman year, we would talk about how we couldn’t wait to get out there together. And then Jalen Milroe, we came in together, so that was definitely an honor. Like I said, those guys showed me a different way of leadership, and I feel like I’ll carry that for the rest of my life,” said Lawson.
Looking Ahead to 2025-26
As the Crimson Tide prepares for the 2025-26 season, the defense will benefit from the return of several key starters, including Lawson, whose veteran presence will be crucial. Despite the obstacles faced last season, Lawson remains committed to the fans for his final year.
“I promise the fans that I’ll do everything in my power to get this program back on track. Last year wasn’t what we wanted, and we have much bigger expectations for ourselves. That really stuck with me. One of the main reasons [for returning] is to fulfill that promise to the fans. Another big reason is trusting in the good Lord and knowing that he’s not finished with my story here,” Lawson stated.
