Deontae Lawson serving as Tide DC’s ‘voice on the field’ thanks to new technology rule

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – After Alabama’s scrimmage on Saturday, head coach Kalen DeBoer said the Crimson Tide took time at Bryant-Denny Stadium to practice using new technology.

New this fall will be the option for teams to use coach-to-player communication through the helmet to one player on the field. Identified by a green dot on the back of the player’s helmet, most would think of the quarterback as the primary user of this new tool. But the defense gets to utilize it, too, and for Alabama, that designation goes to the Mike linebacker.

While Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said Alabama is getting a number of players accustomed to communicating via helmet, Deontae Lawson is the top candidate.

“He’s my voice on the field,” said Wommack after Alabama’s 11th preseason practice. “It’s not just getting the call in but there are certain things that I may want to communicate to him about the situation, understanding of the offense, what they’re getting ready to do.”

Communication between coach and player will be turned off with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock or when the ball is snapped, whichever comes first, according to the NCAA .

Because of this, Wommack believes some teams will continue to signal plays from the sideline while others continue to exclusively relay calls from headset to helmet. For Alabama’s new defensive coordinator, “there’s a fine line” because of the comms cutoff.

“What happens afterward when an offense is going to make a check?” Wommack said. “You’re going to see some offenses that are going to go really fast. I think that’s going to be helpful to us on defense because I can immediately get a call to the core, and they can communicate to about seven or eight guys immediately.

“When teams are going fast, you’re going to see some teams that wait until after 15 seconds and then they go, so now the defense is back to the normal signaling. It will be a cat-and-mouse game, and I’m excited to see how to navigate that. I just want to stay ahead of the curve.”

Alabama has been practicing with the new in-helmet communication since the spring, and that has allowed for a smoother operation during UA preseason camp, Lawson told reporters.

“It’s going pretty well right now,” Lawson said Tuesday. “I had it in the spring, so I tried to get all my difficulties out in the spring. In fall camp, it’s gone good.”

Lawson is entering his fourth season at Alabama and has 15 career starts under his belt. Last year as a redshirt sophomore, the Mobile native took over the role of signal-caller of the Tide’s defense. The fast-approaching 2024 football season will see Lawson once again lead Alabama on the defensive side of the ball, only this time in Wommack’s new scheme.

The fourth-year linebacker has now fully embraced his role as the voice of UA’s defense.

“I’m just doing it. That’s what I do,” Lawson said. “I feel like I’m a quarterback of the defense, and I’ve gotta be able to communicate at the highest level and be able to do my job and get guys on the same page so we can execute as a defense.”

However, Lawson isn’t the only player who can call the Tide’s defense. He deemed veteran defensive back Malachi Moore as another quarterback on that side of the football, as well as his running mate at inside linebacker, Jihaad Campbell . The latter saw an increased role last year, too, and gives Alabama two high-level players in the middle of its defense.

“He’s elite,” Lawson said of Campbell. “He’s coming to work every day, he’s learning everything he can. He could be a signal-caller, as well. It’s great to have two guys in the inside ‘backer room that can be a signal-caller. It’s easier to communicate to the rest of the guys.”

Under former head coach Nick Saban , Alabama’s defense was often described as complex. With Wommack now the coordinator for DeBoer’s first season, Lawson agreed with a question on Tuesday about not having to think as much and having chances to make plays.

“Just go out there, be a football player and fly around,” Lawson said. “I feel like this defense is made for inside ‘backers. That makes me happy. You can just fly around, know your job and compete at the highest level.”

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