Alabama wants Alphas at ILB: Predicting the inside linebackers

In recent years, the Alabama middle linebackers haven’t quite brought the same level of physicality and imposing play as in years past. BamaInsider’s Clint Lamb thinks that’s going to change this year, though.

With four players — Deontae Lawson, Trezmen Marshall, Justin Jefferson and Jihaad Campbell — vying to be the two inside linebackers, it might come down to preference for the Alabama coaching staff. Lamb is confident in one thing: Lawson will be one of the two starters.

“This comes down to the personnel and the variety of skillsets that Alabama has at its disposal in this inside linebacker room. Like, I think the entire position is going to be built around Deontae Lawson. He’s the guy that’s got all the experience, played a lot last year. He’s been in Alabama’s system,” Lamb said.

After playing in four games and redshirting as a freshman, Lawson played 11 games and made 51 tackles for the Crimson Tide in 2022. It’s not a wealth of experience, but it’s enough for the coaching staff to know what they have in place.

Lawson, in Lamb’s estimation, will be a departure from the likes of Henry To’oTo’o, who marshaled Alabama’s defense from the inside linebacker position. Lawson might end up calling plays, as To’oTo’o did, but that’s where the similarities start to end. Whereas To’oTo’o was the key to dialing in scheme to outfox opponents, Lawson can be the engine for a defense that simply outmans them.

“They might want to move him to Mike and allow him to kind of take over the field general responsibilities that Henry To’oTo’o has held the last two years. And where they want to line him up, I think, is pretty important. Especially for the guy who ends up starting next to him,” Lamb said.

Marshall, a transfer from Georgia, might have the most experience. But Lamb thinks it will be one of Jefferson or Campbell who eventually slots in alongside Lawson.

Even still, the remaining two inside linebackers will find plenty of rotational snaps and feature in different personnel packages.

“And I’ve been very vocal about the coaching staff is going to make sure that Trezmen Marshall gets the first opportunity or the first crack at being the guy who starts next to Deontae Lawson. But when you see Campbell and you see Jefferson and what they can provide for your defense, to me that is so much more important than the experience factor that Trezmen Marshall’s going to bring to the table. Lawson’s got the experience and you’ve also got that experience and veteran depth, kind of like you did with Jaylen Moody last year, with Marshall,” Lamb said. “But Campbell and Jefferson have the highest ceiling of any Alabama linebacker not named Deontae Lawson.”