Keon Sabb had a vastly different experience on Jan. 1 in Pasadena than most of his new Alabama football teammates. While the Crimson Tide left the Rose Bowl field dejected after losing the College Football Playoff semifinal game in overtime, Sabb celebrated with his Michigan teammates.

Soon thereafter, Sabb faced off with his current head coach, Kalen DeBoer, then at Washington, in the national title game. Once again, the Wolverines were victorious.

After coaching changes in Ann Arbor, Sabb felt he needed to hit the transfer portal, landing in Tuscaloosa shortly thereafter. Speaking to reporters Tuesday for the first time since the move, the safety said he’d made jokes about the postseason success with his Alabama teammates and DeBoer.

But nothing too spicy.

“We have times where we go back and forth about it, but it always ends with a respectful thing,” Sabb said. “It’s definitely fun coming in how I did, but I think, coach DeBoer, we always have our little jokes around, and guys on the team, it’s almost every day, so I think it’s fun.”

And besides, he already had respect for the team Alabama had last season.

“That was our toughest game last year, for sure,” Sabb said. “They definitely got us to the end, that last play thing there. So definitely could see out there those guys were passionate about playing football.”

Sabb started five games at safety for the Wolverines last season, playing in 14. He made 28 tackles and grabbed two interceptions throughout the season.

With the Crimson Tide, he’s expected to slot in at safety with Malachi Moore. Defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler said Tuesday that he’s excited to have Sabb.

“Anytime you have the confidence from being a starter and impact player on a national championship team, you know you’re going to carry yourself really well,” Hitschler said. “He came in here carrying himself well in the spring. But what you love about Keon is he just works so hard and he just keeps one foot going forward and the guys just love and respect him because of his work ethic.”

A New Jersey native, Sabb said the Alabama heat was taking some getting used to, with temperatures climbing into the 90s routinely on August days. His time playing high school football at IMG Academy in Florida prepared him a bit, but the redshirt sophomore said it was still the most difficult part of the transition.

In a secondary that lost Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry to the NFL, plus a plethora of other defensive backs, including Caleb Downs, to the transfer portal, Sabb provides valuable experience.

According to Hitschler, the Crimson Tide’s younger DBs have witnessed Sabb’s work ethic, and followed his lead. Sabb said the younger members of the group were coming along fast.

“I think they’re gonna be ready really quick, because they’re not really young guys at this point,” Sabb said. “A lot of those guys were here in the spring… They made a huge jump, so I’m looking forward to seeing those guys make a name for themselves this year.”

It’s a whole new defensive scheme in Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban is retired, with Kane Wommack taking the reigns on that side of the ball.

It makes for a steep learning curve during camp, but Sabb felt the Crimson Tide will be ready to go in the secondary to start the season.

“Everybody has that chip on their shoulder and I think that’s a really good, really big thing for sure,” Sabb said. “Everybody having a chip and wanting to win. I think we have that here.”