TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama will be without starting safety Keon Sabb for the remainder of the season. During his Monday press conference, Kalen DeBoer provided an update on the redshirt sophomore defender, indicating he won’t return from his foot injury in time to rejoin the team this year.
“As far as a timeline, you know, I can't give that to you right now. I know it will be obviously through this season, but we expect him back and ready to roll, you know, for next year, of course,” DeBoer said. “I love what his commitment levels been to our program, and we want to support him as he goes through these times, because these injuries are hard for guys, because this is not their only identity, but this is a big part of what they do playing football right now.”
Sabb suffered a broken foot during Alabama’s loss to Tennessee on Oct. 19 and has missed the Tide’s last three games. Through seven starts, the Michigan transfer recorded 39 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions.
With Sabb out, Alabama has turned to Bray Hubbard at the free safety position. Hubbard has 33 tackles two interceptions and a pair of pass breakups over 10 appearances this season. He’s recorded both of his interceptions and breakups as well as 13 of his stops during his three starts in replacement of Saab.
“I think probably what’s most impressive about Bray is that his level of preparation has not changed now that he is the starter from when he was backup for Keon Sabb,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. “When the opportunity came, Bray was so locked in every single week and prepared like he was the starter. He did a great job of communicating even with that second group of twos in practice every single day and was probably some of the glue that help hold some of those young DBs together.
“When his opportunity came, he was ready for it. So he’s playing at a really high level because he’s prepared at a really high level all season long.”
No. 10 Alabama (8-2, 4-2 in the SEC) will travel to Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) this weekend for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday. The game will be televised on ABC.
