Alabama football will be without a veteran safety for the remainder of the season.
Kalen DeBoer updated the media on the status of Keon Sabb, a transfer from Michigan, in Monday’s press conference.
Sabb went down with a foot injury versus Tennessee and missed the last three games. According to DeBoer, Sabb is expected to come back and be ‘ready to roll for next year.’ He collected 39 tackles, four pass breakups, and two interceptions in seven games.
Bray Hubbard, a sophomore, has stepped up tremendously in Sabb’s absence. His performance has allowed Malachi Moore to play freely at strong safety, while giving DeVonta Smith, Domani Jackson, and Zabien Brown confidence at their positions.
Hubbard, a native Mississippian, came in Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class as a four-star.
He has 33 tackles, a tackle for loss, two pass breakups, and two interceptions (tied for team lead). The 6-foot-2, 204-pounder brings a level of physicality, discipline, attention to detail, and coverage skills that has the secondary playing at a high level now.
Hubbard has been pivotal in the Tide’s late push for the College Football Playoff. His success has it in position to host a playoff game on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium if the season ended today. He now has an increased role as one would expect Hubbard to grow in confidence at free safety. Kameron Howard, a transfer from the University of North Carolina at Charolette, is Hubbard’s backup at free safety. King Mack, a transfer from Penn State, is the backup to Moore at strong safety or Rover.
Hubbard has taken advantage of reps, and now he’s about to get even more.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
