The Alabama Crimson Tide have been dealing with a chaotic transfer window following the retirement of Nick Saban, but new head coach Kaleb DeBoer just landed a top-tier defensive back in Keon Sabb.
Alabama insider Aaron Suttles reported via X that Alabama was landing Sabb, a former safety for the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines.
According to sources, former Michigan safety Keon Sabb has enrolled and is set to join the Alabama football program. He played in 14 games with five starts in 2023 and tallied 28 tackles and two interceptions.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) February 20, 2024
A 6'1", 208-pound safety, Sabb was a productive contributor for the Wolverines as a sophomore. He finished the national title season with 28 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Sabb was a key contributor to Michigan's defense in the national championship game against Washington, recording six total tackles and two pass deflections.
Sabb will have big shoes to fill at Alabama after committing to them during the transfer window. The transferring safety will likely be filling in for former superstar freshman Caleb Downs, who transferred to Ohio State this offseason after a breakout season for the Crimson Tide. Downs wasn't the only key contributor for Alabama to transfer to Columbus, Ohio. The Crimson Tide are also losing top-tier quarterback recruit Julian Sayin and startin center Seth McLaughlin to the Buckeyes.
There has been a mass exodus of players leaving Alabama since Saban's retirement news, which shouldn't come as a surprise. However, DeBoer hasn't had as immediate of an impact in the transfer portal as fans might have wanted to see to replace so much talent. Most of the incoming transfers have followed DeBoer from Washington, including the likes of Germie Bernard and Parker Brailsford, but few transfers have come from other top-tier programs.
Alabama fans are hoping that Sabb's commitment could be the big name that will help convince other top potential transfers to come down to Tuscaloosa so that they can continue to compete in the SEC.
