Alabama football will have one of its captains back after all.
Deontae Lawson, a Mobile native, announced Saturday he will stay for another season with the Crimson Tide. 2025 will be his fifth season with the program.
“This program and the staff have been like a second family to me,” Lawson posted to Instagram. “The opportunity I have been given to play for Coach Saban and Coach DeBoer is a blessing. I want to finish what I started from the day I stepped foot on campus, and that includes winning a national championship.”
Lawson spent 2024 as a team captain but sustained a season-ending injury against Oklahoma. Until his injury, he was the player wearing the green dot helmet, which is connected to defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s headset.
Lawson tallied 76 tackles, four pass breakups, two sacks, one forced fumble and one interception.
“While I will always have love for Mobile, Tuscaloosa has become a second home and I’m not ready to leave,” Lawson wrote. “I will do everything in my power to help the 2025 group live up to the Bama Standard, and I look forward to leading this team next season.”
Lawson will be the only returning captain. Quarterback Jalen Milroe, left guard Tyler Booker and safety Malachi Moore all won’t be back. Milroe and Booker declared for the NFL Draft and Moore saw his eligibility expire.
“I want to thank God for putting me in the position I am today,” Lawson wrote. “Without Him, none of my successes would be possible. His timing is perfect, and I trust that He knows what is best for me.”
Lawson joins Justin Jefferson, Tim Keenan III and LT Overton as defensive players with remaining eligibility who have announced they will stay for another season.
“I have not had the easiest road to get where I am, but I would not have been able to make it this far without my family,” Lawson wrote. “They have been my #1 support system each and every day, and I am truly blessed to have them to keep me pushing forward through all the ups and downs along this journey. They have consistently told me they love me and believe in me, no matter what decision I make.”
Jihaad Campbell, who started alongside Lawson on the inside of the defense, won’t be back in 2025 as he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. So Alabama has one opening on the inside. Justin Jefferson announced he will stay for one more season, made possible by a court ruling after Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia filed a lawsuit to get one more year of eligibility as a former junior college player. Alabama also added Colorado linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green from the transfer portal.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
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