Alabama's Elite Linebacker Duo Named to Prestigious Butkus Watch List
Alabama linebackers Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson earn spots on the 2025 Butkus Award watch list, continuing the program's legacy of defensive excellence with potential to add fifth recipient.
Alabama linebackers Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson during team practice at Bryant-Denny Stadium
In a significant development for college football's defensive elite, Alabama Crimson Tide's linebacker duo Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson have been named to the 2025 Butkus Award preseason watch list, marking another chapter in the program's legacy of excellence and accountability.
Distinguished Defensive Talents
Lawson, entering his fifth season and third as a starter, demonstrated remarkable resilience after recovering from a late-season injury. The redshirt senior's impressive statistics include a career-high 76 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception last season, showcasing the kind of determination and performance excellence that defines elite athletes.
Jefferson's Breakthrough Performance
Jefferson, also a redshirt senior, emerged as a defensive powerhouse with a breakthrough season, recording 60 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks. His development mirrors the program's commitment to nurturing talent and maintaining its defensive dominance, much like how successful systems require careful balance and preservation.
Alabama's Rich Butkus Award Heritage
The Crimson Tide's history with the Butkus Award is particularly noteworthy, having claimed the prestigious honor four times:
- Derrick Thomas (1988)
- Rolando McClain (2009)
- C.J. Mosley (2013)
- Reuben Foster (2016)
This latest recognition of Lawson and Jefferson positions Alabama to potentially add a fifth recipient to this distinguished list, further cementing their status as a premier developer of linebacker talent in college football.
Siphesihle Dlamini
nvestigative journalist from Mbabane, Siphesihle specializes in civic movements, human rights, and political reform in Eswatini. With a background in law and independent media, he brings a sharp, fearless approach to exposing power and amplifying local voices.