It might not mean much once the kickoff happens in just over eight months, but Alabama Football is in a rare 9-4 slump. Whispers are swirling, with the Crimson Tide losing key players to the transfer portal and struggling to keep depth. The buzz around whether head coach Kalen DeBoer can bring Bama back to its throne gets louder by the day. Yet, hope isn’t dead—this week, a spark arrived in the form of a familiar face: a standout DB transfer from their own ReliaQuest game terminators. Maybe, just maybe, the tide’s about to turn.

This gifted multi-sport athlete who has thrown down a variety of impressive dunks on the hardwood and ran 100m dashes on track & field will be returning for the 2025 season. He announced Tuesday evening via his Instagram. “Thank you God❤️,” as he showed his gratitude in the captions. A game-changer who knows a thing or two about championships—and just how to win them. Enter Alabama Crimson Tide’s Keon Sabb, the versatile safety with a pedigree for winning and a flair for drama.

Just a year after winning a national title with Michigan, Keon Sabb made waves in his debut season with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now, as he announced in a heartfelt Instagram post Tuesday night, the former Wolverine is ready to ‘run it back.’ He will be one of the many defensive players coming back for another campaign under head coach Kalen DeBoer. “Let’s run it back—Roll Tide!” was the crux of his long letter to Tuscaloosa.

Sabb’s first season at Alabama was a showcase of both promise and grit. His seven-game campaign saw him rack up 39 tackles, a pair of interceptions, and four pass breakups. His knack for turning defense into instant offense was on full display during Alabama’s long-lost week one’s 63-0 drubbing of the WKU Hilltoppers, where two early first-quarter picks set the tone for the Crimson Tide’s most dominant performance of the season. “Since stepping foot on campus, Alabama has felt like home,” Sabb reflected.

“I have met so many great people and grown significantly, but I feel like there’s more left for me here.” The 6′ 1″, 206 Pounds safety said that speaks volumes, especially considering the adversity Sabb faced with injuries, cutting this season short.

Alabama’s safety unit was in dire straits when Kalen DeBoer inherited the reins from Nick Saban. Losing Caleb Downs to Ohio State left a gaping hole in the secondary, one that needed an experienced leader to fill it. #3 arrived via the transfer portal like a knight in shining armor. Pulling Sabb from Michigan—a program fresh off a natty win—was nothing short of a coup for DeBoer. Sabb’s athleticism has made him a Swiss Army knife in Alabama’s defense.

For a program coming off a disappointing season, the decision of a proven player to return speaks volumes. Sabb’s loyalty and belief in the program could set the tone for other key defensive players eyeing their futures. “This season ended early for me and it did not finish the way any of us wanted,” Sabb admitted. “But I know there’s more to accomplish here.” That mindset could be contagious, inspiring his teammates to dig deep and aim high in 2025.

Tuscaloosa has every reason to be optimistic. Sabb isn’t just a talented defender; he’s a tone-setter. His physicality, football IQ, and ability to deliver game-changing plays make him a cornerstone for the Crimson Tide’s defensive plans moving forward.

Kalen DeBoer on the ‘Return of the Sabb’

Keon Sabb’s 2024 season ended abruptly after his last appearance against Tennessee on October 19. An injury sidelined the Alabama safety for the remainder of the year, cutting short a campaign in which he tallied 24 tackles and two interceptions. While it was a tough blow for both Sabb and the Crimson Tide, the future looks bright as the talented defensive back is set to return for another season in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke about Sabb’s injury in November, highlighting not just his value on the field but also his impact off it. “He had his surgery and was away from us for a few days there,” coach KD said. “But he’s a guy who’s really built strong relationships with this team. We want him around. He’s one of those guys that cares so much about this team, and we care deeply about him.”

Although declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft was a tempting option, Sabb decided to run it back with Alabama for at least one more season. For now, his primary focus is on getting back to 100% health. As DeBoer works to reshape the program and quiet the doubters, players like Sabb are exactly what Alabama needs. If the Crimson Tide is to reclaim its throne, he will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the comeback story.