Deontae Lawson believes this Alabama linebacker delivered hardest hit of fall camp

Oct 12, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Malachi Moore (13) and Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Justin Jefferson (15) combine to tackle South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Michael Smith (20) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson was limited in spring practice, but according to his teammates, Jefferson has been making the pads pop in fall camp.

Deontae Lawson was asked on Wednesday which player has delivered the hardest hit in fall camp.

“Justin’s hit yesterday,” Lawson said. “That was on Richard Young. That hit yesterday was pretty crazy.”

Lawson reflected on the specifics of the play and how the hit happened.

“It was on the goal line, and they ran a G-Lead play,” Lawson said. “Justin just shot the A gap, and then, you heard it.”

Jefferson is no stranger to delivering a huge hit. Experts have compared him to former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster from a hitting standpoint.

To give an idea on what a Jefferson hit feels like, receiver Ryan Williams said his ‘welcome to Alabama moment’ was from Jefferson in practice, saying he tried to juke out the linebacker but got hit so hard that “I felt it in my ribs and it went all through my body.”

According to Alabama Director of Sports Performance David Ballou, Jefferson is running 22 miles per hour as a 226-pound linebacker, adding that Jefferson can run with the defensive backs.

In 2024, Jefferson was making plays all over the field from his linebacker position. He racked up 61 total tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Jefferson is in his final season at Alabama and has a chance to help the Tide be one of the top defenses in the country.

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