10 in 10: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting

The Crimson Tide will be bidding for a CFP spot in Kalen DeBoer’s second season as Head Coach. Deontae Lawson will have a big say, as he returns an unquestioned leader in the Alabama defense. Check back tomorrow and every day between now and kickoff in Week 0 on the 23rd of August for more prospect breakdowns.

No. 8- Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama

Prospect Details

Name: Deontae Lawson

College: Alabama

Year: Redshirt Senior

Measurables: 6’2, 239 pounds

Scheme Fit: Mike linebacker in a 4-2-5 scheme

Background

Deontae Lawson entered Alabama as a highly-touted four-star recruit out of Mobile Christian School in Alabama. A unanimous top-55 national recruit, Lawson was rated as the #3 inside linebacker by multiple recruiting services. He made an immediate impact for the Crimson Tide, playing in four games as a true freshman before redshirting in 2021.

Lawson's role expanded significantly in 2022, as he appeared in 11 games with four starts, recording 51 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He truly came into his own as a redshirt sophomore in 2023, starting 11 games at middle linebacker and finishing second on the team with 67 tackles. Lawson added 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 4 pass breakups, earning recognition as a Butkus Award semifinalist.

In 2024, he suffered a season-ending injury at Oklahoma but still tied for ninth in the SEC for tackles with 76, including 6.5 for loss (-30 yards) and two sacks (-21 yards). He was selected as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker, despite missing the final 2 games of the season with an ACL. Recent reports out of Tuscaloosa he may be close to returning and wreaking havoc once again on SEC ball-carriers.

Detailed Scouting Report

Strengths

1. Is the communicator and leader at the 2nd level for Alabama, featuring some serious NFL talent. Moves people around and has ‘Green Dot’ responsibility, which should translate to the next level.

2. Good athlete who moves well in a straight line. Backpedals effectively to move to the 3rd level and can go sideline to sideline effectively to gobble up space for outside runners.

3. Is an ascending playmaker on film despite the injury. Impressed with his playmaking ability, particularly in the Tennessee game, where he had a sack and a team-high 11 tackles.

4. Can change direction in coverage and make QBs hesitant to throw to his zone, making an athletic pick vs LSU in a crucial spot. Also can cover up the space in a hurry and looks shot out of a cannon from the 2nd level through the A or B gap .

Development Points

1. Struggles to break free of blocks when asked to blitz. Not a strong point of his game, so will need to work on timing and potentially bulk up if he is to impact plays more in that area.

2. Prone to getting lost a bit in zone coverage. Typically struggles to get enough depth to shut down passing lanes and seems a little hesitant to step up and make the play as a result.

3. Can take some bad angles in the run game. Can get run over and moved off his spot by craftier linemen with no ability to counter and make a play on the ball. Had multiple games in 2024 with 3+ missed tackles, but can have multiple game stretches not missing any. Needs to be more consistent with his technique and finish.

4. Needs to show a bounce-back healthy year after suffering an ACL tear to finish the year, and won't be ready until Fall camp at the earliest. Early indications are positive, but any setback could badly hurt his draft stock.

Summary

Lawson is the leader of a defense that included 4 NFL draft picks this past April and could exceed that again in 2026. He is a good athlete who moves well north-south, solid in coverage and has strong tackle fundamentals. Some challenges breaking free of blocks due to size limitations and streaky tackling, combined with a late-season ACL tear, have hurt his prospects slightly. But a bounce back in 2025 should vault him back into top 50 consideration, and he'll be looking to emulate running mate Jihaad Campbell in being a 1st round pick next April.

Player Comp: CJ Mosley

Team Fits: Falcons, Broncos

Grade: 6.4/9.0 (Top 75 Grade)