USA TODAY Sports names Alabama safety as player whose NFL Draft stock could soar in 2025
USA TODAY Sports names Alabama safety as player whose NFL Draft stock could soar in 2025
The Alabama Crimson Tide are returning some big names on both sides of the ball in 2025 as Kalen DeBoer enters his second season as head coach.
Alabama's offense will feature standout players from a year ago such as star receiver (and video game cover athlete) Ryan Williams and fellow wideout Germie Bernard. Jam Miller returns at tailback after rushing for 668 yards (4.3 AVG) and seven touchdowns in a somewhat crowded backfield with Justice Haynes, who transferred to Georgia Tech.
On defense, linebacker Deontae Lawson and defensive lineman LT Overton were named to the recent Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. Safeties Keon Sabb and Brey Hubbard also return, as does cornerback Domani Jackson.
USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday named 10 NFL Draft prospects whose stock could be poised to rise during the 2025 college football season. Sabb made the list as a potential first-round pick at defensive back.
USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz said:
"After helping Michigan win a national championship in 2023, Sabb took on a new challenge last year by going to Tuscaloosa to help the Crimson Tide navigate the post-Nick Saban era. He made a strong early impression, recording two interceptions in his first game for Alabama and notching 39 total tackles before being lost for the season to a lower-extremity injury. The 6-1, 205-pounder blends puts together impressive size and coverage skills to allow him to clamp down on tight ends and patrol underneath in zone coverage. With his strong tackling allowing him to also be a force in the box, he should be coveted for his ability to handle a few key tasks, even if he doesn't fit the mold of a typical single-high safety. If he's able to stay healthy, expect his buzz to build."
Sabb started Alabama's first seven games last year before his season-ending injury in the Tennessee game on Oct. 19. In the Tide's season-opening 62-0 shutout of Western Kentucky, he returned a TJ Finley interception 23 yards to set up Alabama's first touchdown of the year.
Sabb struck again on WKU's next drive, picking off another Finley pass and returning it 64 yards to set up another score. Two weeks later, he had six tackles and two pass breakups in Alabama's 42-10 rout of Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium.
Alabama will open the 2025 season in Tallahassee against Florida State on Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ABC.
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