Alabama safety Keon Sabb returning for 2025 season

Alabama safety Keon Sabb will be returning for the 2025 season, he announced Tuesday evening via Instagram. Sabb just wrapped up his first season with the Crimson Tide after transferring into the program via Michigan.

Now, he will be one of the many defensive players coming back for another campaign under head coach Kalen DeBoer.

“This past year with the Crimson Tide has been special to me,” Sabb said in a statement. “Since stepping foot on campus, Alabama has felt like home. I have met so many great people and grown significantly but I feel like there’s more left for me here.

“This season ended early for me and it did not finish the way any of us wanted. I have a lot left to help this team accomplish, and I look forward to leading the 2025 group. I cannot wait to get back on the field and start working towards our ultimate goal of winning a national championship.

“Let’s run it back – Roll Tide!”

When DeBoer took over for Nick Saban, safety was a major position of need for Alabama. Caleb Downs had just left for Ohio State and reinforcements were desperately needed. Pulling Sabb out of the NCAA transfer portal was huge, especially since he was fresh off a national championship with Michigan.

Sabb instantly made an impact as he was a key defensive starter when healthy. He wound up playing in seven games, recording 39 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and four PBUs. Oct. 19 against Tennessee was his last appearance before missing the rest of the season due to injury.

“He had his surgery and was away from us for a few days there,” DeBoer said of Sabb’s injury in November. “But he’s just a guy that really has grown relationships with the team. We want him around here. He’s one of those guys, just like the others that are done for the year too, that care so much about this team and we care about him.”

Leaving for the 2025 NFL Draft was certainly on the table but Sabb is running it back at least one more time with Alabama. Getting fully healthy will be the safety’s top priority but as mentioned in his statement, finding more on-field success is the ultimate goal next season.