Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

What excites Keon Sabb about playing with Bray Hubbard at Alabama?

Originally posted on Touchdown Alabama Magazine
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 9:05 AM ET

The most excitement Alabama fans have for its football team in the fall lies in its secondary.

Kane Wommack has so much experience returning on the backend; however, the alphas of the group with the ‘dawg’ mentality are at safety.

Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard enter year two playing together. Sabb, a New Jersey native, started 2024 on fire as a transfer from Michigan – recording 39 tackles, four pass breakups, and two interceptions returned for touchdowns through seven matchups for the Crimson Tide.

A lower-body injury versus Tennessee sidelined him for the rest of the year, yet it pushed Hubbard to emerge. The native Mississippian brought a physicality that helped the Tide’s defensive backfield finish strong.

Hubbard collected 57 tackles, two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and three interceptions.

Image | Source: Touchdown Alabama

Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Louisiana Monroe Warhawks quarterback Aidan Armenta (10) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Keon Sabb (3) during the first quarter at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

Last season, Sabb and Hubbard started together on defense for the first time. Sabb returned from the injury with 54 total tackles – including 2.5 for loss and a sack – three breakups, an interception, and a quarterback hurry.

Hubbard was no slouch, finishing as the team’s third-leading tackler (79 stops).

Image | Source: Touchdown Alabama

Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Bray Hubbard (18) entertains the crowd during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

He added 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, six breakups, a quarterback hurry, three forced fumbles, and a team-high four interceptions.

Hubbard earned the reputation of a hard hitter who can also cover. Alabama’s thunder and lightning on defense is excited to be together again, and Sabb discussed what brings him joy to play with Hubbard.

“It is amazing,” Sabb said Monday about playing with Hubbard. “He and I have built this really good bond on the field. I know where he is going to be, and he knows where I am going to be.”

Neither of them talked NFL Draft decisions with each other, but the decision for both to return to school has Alabama in the driver’s seat for a strong defense.

This article first appeared on Touchdown Alabama Magazine and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: