Deontae Lawson gives update on recovery from ACL injury, outlook for 2025 season
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Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson is nearing 100 percent health ahead of the 2025 season.
Lawson tore his ACL last November in a loss against Oklahoma. He’s been working his way back ever since and provided a significant update on his status while speaking with reporters on Wednesday at SEC Media Days.
“I’ve been ahead of schedule and I know I will be limited in camp, but I’ll be ready for the season,” Lawson said.
That’s huge news for a Crimson Tide defense that proved to be much better when it had Lawson in the middle of the field. When healthy, Lawson also wore the green dot for Alabama, meaning he was the only player on the defense who could communicate with the coaching staff between plays.
According to Pro Football Focus, Lawson earned an overall grade of 78.1 last season. That ranked 3rd amongst SEC linebackers — behind Chris Paul Jr. and JiHaad Campbell — who played at least 600 snaps in 2024.
Alabama does have a very tough nonconference slate this season beginning with a road game at Florida State to open the year, so Lawson will not have the luxury of taking time to get up to game speed. That game against the Seminoles is scheduled for Aug. 30 in Tallahassee.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
