Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Size:
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 230 lbs
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“Deontae Lawson is a scheme-versatile linebacker who is comfortable playing in the box but also has the speed to flow sideline-to-sideline.”
Strengths:
Athleticism/fluid athlete
Plays downhill toward line of scrimmage
Effective blitzer
Position-versatile
Concerns:
Block shedding
Consistency reading run keys
Tackling in space
Film Analysis:
Deontae Lawson is a multi-year, highly experienced linebacker who has played significant snaps for the Crimson Tide since his arrival on campus. Lawson has the athleticism and the size to fill varying roles in a defense. Lawson shows to be a down instinctual linebacker who flows sideline to sideline in pursuit of the ball-carrier.
Against the run, Lawson shows good IQ and football intelligence working downhill toward the line of scrimmage. Lawson has an attacking playstyle where he is confident in what he sees and attacks the gap to tackle the ball-carrier near the line of scrimmage. Lawson has good knockback power as a tackler and can stop ball-carriers from gaining ground. Lawson is listed at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds and appears to have a good tackling radius and range because of his length. He can also bring ball-carriers down with arm tackles. Working in the box, Lawson beats blockers by either working overtop of the block or working underneath the block to beat them to the spot and make the play on the ball-carrier. On runs designed to attack the edges of the defense, Lawson is a fluid mover who can easily accelerate and close to ball-carriers, making the tackle near the sideline.
On passing downs, Lason is effective in two different ways. First, he has shown to be an effective blitzer throughout his career, having a good understanding of how to time up blitzes properly but also having the athleticism to turn tight angles and the closing speed to get to the quarterback. Lawson is also most effective in zone coverage. Lawson does an above-average job of getting depth in his zone drops and reading his keys to make a play on the football.
Lawson's biggest improvement as a player is his ability to shed books. When Lawson can beat offensive linemen to the gap, he is a highly effective player for the defense. But when he doesn't and offensive linemen can get hands on him, Lawson is usually delayed in shedding blocks and ball carriers can get upfield. Lawson can benefit from improving his upper-body strength to be able to handle blockers and quickly deconstruct blocks.
Overall, Lawson is a well-rounded linebacker prospect who fills multiple linebacker roles in a defense, whether it's a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
