Deontae Lawson More Comfortable Being Used in Jihaad Campbell Role

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama's defense last season boasted a top-ten unit for the first time since 2017, and a large part of it was the Crimson Tide's ability to rush the passer with Jihaad Campbell, a traditional inside linebacker, off the edge.

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Campbell is gone to the NFL now, but Alabama is still using those same packages, with Justin Jefferson and Nikhai-Hill-Green at inside linebacker, with redshirt senior and captain Deontae Lawson rushing the quarterback off the edge.

Lawson was asked about his new usage in the package on Tuesday, where he said he's getting more comfortable with being used similarly to Campbell last season, and it's something he's been wanting to do since arriving in Tuscaloosa.

"That's something I'm still working on, to this day," Lawson said. "Trying to get with Jamey Mosley every day after practice, trying to get a little bit in. Because I've always been an interior rusher, and been pretty good at it, but now I'm trying to widen my play a little bit and come off the edge a little bit if I need to. That's just something I'm still working on, just ready for my opportunity."

Lawson also said the Crimson Tide's coaching staff is trying to teach him in a similar style to Jihaad Campbell, and the staff has been working with him on it for a while.

"No doubt. I mean, once he told me, I was super excited for it. It's something I kinda wanted to do when I first got here, but I moved to inside linebacker and just been an inside, but super excited for the opportunity, and wanna keep working."

Lawson being used on the edge can help Alabama contain mobile quarterbacks, which Alabama will face on Saturday when they take on Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.