The new season of college football has kicked off. Players have displayed impressive performances on the field in the first week. Fans are eagerly waiting for the second week to start. Many football programs recruited new players. Alabama has been in the headlines since the legendary head coach Nick Saban retired and Kalen DeBoer joined the team. With Saban, Caleb Downs also decided to enter the transfer portal within seven days. Caleb’s departure was a shocker for the team, but fortunately, Keon Sabb replaced the former safety for the 2024 season.

The four-star recruit joined Alabama on 19th February, becoming one of the first players to join the Crimson Tide under Kalen DeBoer’s watch. The new head coach understands Sabb’s game very well, as he had played against Alabama and DeBoer in the 2023-2024 College Football Playoff. After just one game, Kalen DeBoer has demonstrated his mindset for the new season.

Kalen DeBoer’s bold moves silence initial doubts

Nick Saban’s retirement in January was a shocker for college football. It affected the Crimson Tide more because he helped the team achieve great milestones under his leadership for 17 long years. But soon after his retirement, the entire NCAA and fans were wondering who would fit in the big shoes. Then, the former head coach of Washington was declared as the new head coach for the Crimson Tide.

Many Alabama fans doubted Kalen DeBoer’s capability as a head coach. That did not stop the new head coach from making a bold move in the first week of the season. His masterstroke came during the offseason when Alabama’s key player, Caleb Down, stepped down and committed to Ohio State. DeBoer identified a young talent in former Michigan Wolverines safety Keon Sabb. Sabb not only made a successful debut and made his presence felt but also justified his head coach’s faith in him.

Alabama football’s media page reported DeBoer’s statement on Keon’s impressive performance: “Keon Sabb, a guy was at the right spot at the right time and made the plays.” He added, “Keon, you can just see he was ready for that moment. He pounced when the opportunity came and made some really big plays and got our offense some great field position there early in the game.”

In Keon Sabb, Kalen DeBoer and his staff obviously saw more than just a replacement. DeBoer has seen Sabb’s game closely in the last season when he was with Michigan. He knew he was going to be his game-changer for the new season. Although Sabb is a raw talent. He has physical attributes, football intelligence, and a positive mindset to win games.

Keon Sabb: SEC’s defensive player of the week

Keon Sabb’s played his first game with Alabam against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday. His impressive performance made a strong impact on his debut and helped him become the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Week.

Safety’s first interception came at the 10:48 mark of the first quarter, which led to the first touchdown under the new coach in Tuscaloosa; it also helped Jalen Milroe make a 12-yard rush score. Sabb’s second interception occurred at 6:32 in the first quarter and was returned 64 yards to Western Kentucky’s 26-yard line. He almost secured his third interception of the first half, nearly at the end of the first quarter.

Before Sabb was transferred from Michigan this offseason, he won a national championship with the Wolverines in 2023. He played a significant role in their victory over Alabama in the College Football playoff’s Rose Bowl semifinals. Overall, Alabam started their new season with impressive stats. And with Sabb, their wide receiver Ryan Williams was also recognized and named as the SEC’s Freshman of the Week for his performance.