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ESPN published a story on Wednesday morning highlighting one key returning player for each team in its way-too-early top 25 for the 2025 season.
Given that we’re in the age of the transfer portal, retaining talent year-over-year is never a given. The story focuses on players who could have entered the transfer portal and perhaps earned a big payday at another program. However, in the case of Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson, the NFL Draft likely would have been a bigger pull if not for his season-ending injury in 2024.
Here’s some analysis from ESPN’s Max Olson on Lawson’s return to Tuscaloosa and what it means for the Tide:
Back in October, Lawson was the No. 4 off-ball linebacker on Mel Kiper Jr.’s initial Big Board. But a season-ending lower leg injury suffered against Oklahoma in November forced the team captain and second-leading tackler to rethink his plans for 2025. The third-team All-SEC selection is coming back for his fifth year in the program and will be an invaluable leader and playmaker for the Crimson Tide when he gets healthy.
The injury Lawson suffered will keep him out for spring ball, but he is expected to help the Crimson Tide in 2025. When healthy, Lawson is one of the more impactful linebackers in the country. He recorded a career-best 76 tackles and 7 tackles for loss in just 11 games this past fall.
As for Alabama, the Crimson Tide will be looking to make the CFP for the first time in the Kalen DeBoer in 2025. Lawson’s return to the lineup will be a big part of those efforts.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
