Two Tide Defenders Named to Nagurski Watch List

Alabama's defense was ravaged by the transfer portal and the NFL draft this offseason, losing six defensive starters between the transfer portal and the NFL draft, and another handful of potential starters for 2024 to the transfer portal.

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Two of the mainstays on Alabama's defense last season, Deontae Lawson and Malachi Moore, stayed with Alabama through the transition from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer. Lawson, a redshirt junior, and Moore, a graduate student, both could have tested the NFL waters or transferred when Nick Saban retired, but both chose to be members of the leadership team for Alabama and help lead the charge for the Crimson Tide in 2024.

Lawson and Moore already are on the Lott IMPACT Award watch list, and they're being honored again, with both players being placed on the Nagurski Trophy watch list.

The Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football.

Moore was announced to the Nagurski watchlist last season as well.

Last season, Moore totaled 52 tackles for Alabama five tackles for loss, four pass breakups, one quarterback hit, and one interception.

Lawson finished 2023 as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award trophy - awarded to the nation's top linebacker. In 2023, Lawson finished with 67 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, four quarterback hits, and four pass breakups.

Both players, barring injury, will likely be top-100 picks in the 2025 NFL draft should Lawson decide to forgo his redshirt senior season and go to the NFL. Moore is out of eligibility after this season.

Alabama starts its season on Aug. 31 at home against Western Kentucky.

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_.