Transfer DB Brings Valuable Experience to Secondary

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama took the field for their first practice of 2024, and Alabama's defense will feature several new players, especially in the secondary.

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Alabama lost three starters, Terrion Arnold, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Jaylen Key, to the NFL draft, and one, Caleb Downs, to the transfer portal. Alabama also lost a transfer cornerback with starting experience, Trey Amos, to the transfer portal.

Alabama went and got a starting caliber safety who brings championship-level pedigree from the transfer portal, Michigan safety Keon Sabb.

Sabb has starting experience from his time with the Wolverines, including in the national championship against DeBoer's Washington team. Now, Sabb will be suiting up for the team he helped beat in the Rose Bowl. What does Sabb bring to the table that convinced DeBoer to pursue him once he entered the portal?

"You bring a guy like him in to be an impact player. His experiences, not just each and every play, but also the experiences and leadership that, as he's here longer and longer, we expect from him, because of the level that he took his team to, winning a championship. That fits in well with what we're trying to accomplish here."

Players who have experience have come in and didn't play well before. What makes Sabb stand out from the rest?

"That character makeup aside from what we know as a great football player. He's been a really good fit for us. It's been a pleasure getting to know him more and more every day, just seeing how he's operating. You can tell he's got that 'it' factor. He's got the leadership in him to where I know we can count on him this fall."

 

Sabb is expected to come in early and compete for playing time alongside USC transfer Domani Jackson and fifth-year senior Malachi Moore. The rest of Alabama's secondary is up for grabs, and they will be positions that are highly sought after in a young secondary.