Deonte Lawson is on the other side of the ball for Alabama, but he can still feel the impact that Jalen Milroe brings under center.

Milroe led a game-winning drive in the Crimson Tide’s 27-24 win over in-state rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday. The sophomore quarterback capped the drive with a 31-yard pass to Isaiah Bond in the end zone with 31 seconds left in the contest.

On the SEC teleconference on Monday, Lawson said he has never doubted Milroe, even after Alabama’s loss to Texas in September.

“I kind of met with him alone and just told him I believe in him and just keep having faith and you will be the guy,” Lawson said, a star linebacker for the Crimson Tide.

Lawson noted that Milroe’s leadership is “unmatched,” noting it is “what makes him elite.”

“He’s just a great teammate. His personality is great,” Lawson said. “He’s always smiling, always getting people in better moods. But when it’s time to work, he’s serious about his business, and he prepares like no one else.”

Lawson described the difficulties of defending Milroe in practice, adding the elusiveness that the sophomore puts forth on the field.

“He’s also explosive,” Lawson said. “He’s stronger than most people think, and he can make you miss. Yeah, there’s plenty of times that he kind of just outran me, but it’s always good competing against him.”

The Crimson Tide face Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday at 4 p.m. on CBS.