Who will Alabama turn to at ILB if Deontae Lawson is unable to play?

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama head coach Nick Saban didn’t provide an update on linebacker Deontae Lawson, who suffered a sprained ankle in this past Saturday’s win over Ole Miss.

Lawson exited the game early in the second quarter, and after spending time in the medical tent on the UA sideline, he walked to the locker room with a limp and did not return to the game. The redshirt sophomore recorded one tackle and one quarterback prior to his injury.

If Lawson can’t play this week at Mississippi State, who will Alabama turn to at inside ‘backer? It was a question posed to Saban, but he didn’t reveal who will be the defensive signal-caller.

“We played most of the game this last week with Jihaad (Campbell) playing and Trezmen (Marshall) playing, so that’ll be the way that we go,” Saban said Monday. “Obviously, the depth at that position is going to become critical for us if Deontae can’t go, and we’ll keep working with these guys and try to get them ready to go this week.”

With Lawson out, Alabama turned to a trio of linebackers in the middle of its defense – Marshall, Campbell and Kendrick Blackshire. Campbell finished second on the Tide’s defense with seven tackles, while Marshall and Blackshire tallied three apiece. Blackshire, who was the fourth inside linebacker to see the field, also recorded one tackle for loss and one hurry.

Alabama has used a rotation at inside linebacker to begin the 2023 season, so all three players have had opportunities to play alongside Lawson, the quarterback of the UA defense. With the possibility of the redshirt sophomore missing time, others need to step up their game as early as the first SEC road game of the year. Their teammates are confident they will.

“I think they did a great job of coming in and taking control of their position, and I think they did a great job of communicating with the line and the secondary,” said Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore, who makes calls for the secondary. “I think they’re going to do a good job.”

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