Alabama 6A Player of the Year Lawson Shaffer to Walk-On for Avery Johnson

First-year head coach Avery Johnson knew he needed to add depth to his backcourt heading into 2015, and he will bring in another top in-state guard as a walk-on. 

Cullman High School's Lawson Shaffer announced Thursday that he had accepted the walk-on offer after a recent visit to Alabama.

"Meeting (Johnson) in general was awesome," Schaffer said after his announcement. "When he was telling me that they wanted me to be part of the team, I was truly blessed and excited about it."

Shaffer was named the Class 6A Player of the Year after averaging 21.4 points, 7.8 assists, 7.1 rebounds and 3.4 steals for Cullman. He finished fourth in Mr. Basketball voting, which was won by his future roommate Dazon Ingram.

Even as a walk-on, there could be an opportunity to earn playing time as a freshman for Shaffer. With Levi Randolph and Rodney Cooper graduating and Ricky Tarrant and Devin Mitchell transferring, the Crimson Tide has a lack of depth at the guard position.

"It kind of makes me happy that I'm a walk-on," Shaffer said. "It's going to make me work two times as hard as the starters and the guys that got scholarships. I'm looking to get what they already have."

You can watch Shaffer's ceremony and see his highlight reel below.