Lawson closes his Alabama chapter, revealing his resilience and gratitude as he pivots from overcoming injury to chasing his NFL dreams.
Five seasons.
Countless battles.
One unforgettable journey.
For Deontae Lawson, the chapter at Alabama has officially closed. As he prepares for the 2026 NFL Draft, Lawson took a moment this weekend to look back, and to say goodbye, with a heartfelt message that spoke volumes about what the Crimson Tide meant to him.
On Saturday, Lawson shared a farewell post on Instagram, reflecting on the people, lessons, and moments that shaped him during his time in Tuscaloosa. His message was rooted in gratitude for his faith, his family, his teammates, and the coaches who helped mold him, including Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer.
More than wins or stats, Lawson emphasized growth.
Growth as a player.
Growth as a man.
And growth beyond football.
He spoke proudly about earning two degrees at Alabama, something that will stay with him long after the cleats are hung up.
Lawson’s road wasn’t always smooth. After the 2024 season, the expectation was that he’d move on to the NFL. But a devastating ACL injury against Oklahoma forced everything to pause. Instead of leaving, Lawson made a decision that defines his career: he came back.
And he made it count.
Battling all the way back from injury, Lawson delivered the best season of his Alabama career. He led the team with 89 total tackles, added 4.5 sacks, and consistently showed up as the heartbeat of the defense. His effort and leadership didn’t go unnoticed, earning him second-team All-SEC honors.
Now, the focus shifts forward.
Lawson enters the draft process not just as a productive linebacker, but as someone who understands perseverance, patience, and purpose.
His goodbye wasn’t an ending, it was a reflection. A reflection rooted in faith, resilience, and gratitude for every season, every setback, and every lesson along the way. It was the kind of message you expect from someone who understands that the journey matters just as much as the destination. That’s who Deontae Lawson has always been. A leader who embraced the grind. A teammate who showed up even when things weren’t easy. A player who never stopped believing, even when his path was interrupted.
Lawson’s time at Alabama wasn’t defined by one moment or one season. It was defined by perseverance, by choosing to come back when walking away would’ve been easier, by trusting the process, and by finishing what he started.
He didn’t just play for Alabama. He poured himself into it. Every snap, every rehab rep, every quiet moment of growth away from the spotlight.
Alabama didn’t just prepare Deontae Lawson for football.
It prepared him for life, and now, with faith in his heart and unfinished dreams ahead of him, the next chapter is just beginning.