Alabama Linebackers Named to Butkus Award Watch List

Two of Alabama's linebackers for the 2025 season have been named to the Butkus Award Watch List, presented annually to the top linebacker in college football. Deontae Lawson was named to the watch list for the second straight year, and Justin Jefferson makes his first appearance on the Butkus Award Watch List.

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Despite suffering a knee injury, Lawson was a team captain for Alabama last season and started in 11 games, totaling 76 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Lawson was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award last season and was named to the watch list for the Bednarik, Lott, Nagurski, and Lombardi Awards before last season.

Lawson was also named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List alongside Tim Keenan III and LT Overton on Tuesday.

Joining him is Alabama third-year linebacker Justin Jefferson, who is expected to elevate into a starting role for the 2025 season after Jihaad Campbell was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in April.

Last season, Jefferson totaled 61 tackles, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble. Jefferson was granted an NCAA eligibility waiver following the Diego Pavia lawsuit, resulting in him gaining an extra year of eligibility.

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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_.