Deontae Lawson Fires Back at ‘Soft’ Label Ahead of Alabama’s Clash with Wisconsin
As the Alabama Crimson Tide prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers, linebacker Deontae Lawson is making sure the narrative around the Tide’s defense doesn’t go unchallenged. In recent days, chatter from analysts and rival fans alike has surfaced, suggesting that Alabama’s defense — once the gold standard under Nick Saban — has slipped, with some even daring to call it “soft.” Lawson, a junior leader of the unit, didn’t shy away from addressing the criticism.
With the Tide riding a two-game rebound after their season-opening loss to Florida State, Lawson emphasized that the defense has already shown its toughness. “People can say what they want,” he told reporters this week. “But if we’re soft, explain how we’ve only given up seven points in the last two games. We hear the noise, but we let our play do the talking.”
From Florida State Frustration to Defensive Dominance
The criticism didn’t come out of nowhere. In the Week 1 showdown against Florida State, Alabama’s defense struggled to match the speed and precision of the Seminoles’ offense. Missed tackles, blown coverages, and a lack of consistent pressure left observers questioning whether the Tide’s identity had shifted in the post-Saban era under new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Florida State walked away with a statement win, and the “soft” label attached itself to Alabama’s defense almost instantly. But since that game, the Crimson Tide have looked like a completely different team. Over the last two weeks, Alabama’s defense has allowed just seven total points, suffocating both South Alabama and Vanderbilt with relentless physicality.
Lawson pointed to that turnaround as proof that the Tide haven’t lost their edge. “We took that Florida State loss personally,” Lawson said. “We went back to work, corrected our mistakes, and got back to playing Alabama football. Nobody here is soft. We’re fighters. We’re competitors. And you’re going to see that every Saturday.”
Lawson’s Role as Defensive Anchor
At the heart of Alabama’s resurgence has been Lawson himself. A versatile linebacker with speed and strength, Lawson has grown into the vocal leader of the Tide defense. In the last two games, he has been all over the field — plugging running lanes, calling adjustments at the line of scrimmage, and setting the tone with physical tackles.
Teammates have echoed his leadership. Fellow linebacker Jihaad Campbell noted, “Deontae’s energy is contagious. When people call us soft, he takes it personally, and that gets all of us fired up.”
Lawson’s development mirrors Alabama’s season arc. After a rocky opener, he and the defense have found their rhythm. Against Vanderbilt, the Tide held the Commodores to just 163 total yards, including a meager 38 on the ground. Against South Alabama the week prior, Alabama forced three turnovers and didn’t allow a single point after the first quarter.
A New Challenge: Wisconsin’s Smashmouth Football
Of course, the biggest test since Florida State is looming. Wisconsin, long known for its bruising ground game and physical offensive line, offers a different challenge. The Badgers aren’t flashy, but they pride themselves on wearing down defenses with their downhill rushing attack.
Lawson acknowledged the challenge but rejected the notion that the Tide won’t be up for it. “Wisconsin’s a physical team. They like to run the ball, and they’re good at it,” he said. “But that’s what we want — a chance to prove ourselves against a style people say we can’t handle. We’ll be ready.”
Analysts agree this matchup will serve as a litmus test for just how far Alabama’s defense has come since Week 1. Stop Wisconsin’s running backs, and the Tide will silence the critics who have clung to the “soft” narrative.
The Legacy of Alabama Defense
For decades, Alabama’s defense has been the foundation of the program’s dominance. From Rolando McClain and C.J. Mosley to Jonathan Allen and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Tide have produced one elite defensive star after another. That reputation doesn’t fade overnight — but it also doesn’t excuse poor play.
Lawson is keenly aware of that legacy. “We know what it means to wear this jersey,” he said. “The guys before us set a standard. People expect greatness from Alabama’s defense. We embrace that. We don’t run from it.”
It’s that standard that makes any talk of softness sting more than it might for another program. Alabama’s defenders know they’re judged not just against their opponents but against the ghosts of Tide legends who came before them.
Proving the Critics Wrong
For Lawson and the rest of the defense, Saturday against Wisconsin is about more than just another win. It’s a chance to put to rest the whispers that began after Florida State and to show that the Alabama defense is still capable of imposing its will on anyone.
“We don’t take the field to prove people wrong,” Lawson clarified. “We take the field to prove ourselves right. We know who we are. We know what we’ve got. And we’re just getting started.”
Still, the edge in his voice suggested that the “soft” talk had struck a chord. Whether intended or not, those words may have given Alabama’s defense exactly the motivation it needed.
Looking Ahead
If Alabama’s defense can bottle the intensity it has shown in the last two weeks and unleash it against Wisconsin’s physical run game, the “soft” narrative will fade quickly. More importantly, it will give the Tide a chance to keep pace in a competitive SEC and build confidence heading into the heart of their schedule.
For now, Deontae Lawson has drawn the line. Alabama’s defense isn’t backing down, and Saturday provides the perfect opportunity to prove it.
“We’ve heard the talk,” Lawson said one final time. “Now it’s time to play.”
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