Kalen DeBoer wants to build “championship habits” in Tuscaloosa. In many ways, the 2024 Alabama football team has connections to winning titles. DeBoer started his coaching career by establishing an NAIA powerhouse at Sioux Falls. And now, not only is DeBoer in the office of former UA coach and six-time national championship Nick Saban, but the Tide are welcoming in a player from the defending national champs.

Michigan transfer Keon Sabb should play a big role in Alabama’s secondary this spring. The Tide needs to replace every starting defensive back aside from Malachi Moore. Sabb and fellow transfer Domani Jackson (Southern California) will fill in the gap left by elite freshman Caleb Downs and a pair of high NFL draft picks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold.

DeBoer commented on Sabb’s presence in his first spring press conference on Monday:

“You bring a guy like that in to be an impact player for you. … The character makeup, aside from what we know is a great football player, he’s a really good fit for us. It’s been a pleasure getting to know him more and more each and every day, just seeing how he’s operating. Right now, he’s just going about his work, but you can tell he’s got that it-factor and the leadership piece within him and we’ll be counting on him this fall.”

Alabama lost eight defensive backs overall. Like Downs, Sabb entered the portal after his head coach had left. U-M offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was promoted to take over for Jim Harbaugh. Sabb has three years of eligibility remaining.

Sabb had two pass breakups and made six tackles against DeBoer’s Washington in the College Football Playoff championship. In his 18-game tenure at Michigan, Sabb recorded 28 tackles and two interceptions. Sabb will wear No. 3 with the Crimson Tide.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].