Michigan safety Keon Sabb and Washington tight end Josh Cuevas are transferring to Alabama, the players announced Monday on social media. Sabb joins the Crimson Tide following a prominent role on Michigan’s national championship team, appearing in 14 games with five starts and recording 28 tackles, two interceptions and four pass deflections. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
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Cuevas caught four passes for 164 yards and one touchdown this past season while appearing in all 15 of Washington’s games. Prior to 2023, he played for FCS-level Cal Poly from 2021-2022. He earned an All-Big Sky selection in 2022 after catching 57 passes for 622 yards and six touchdowns. Cuevas has two years of eligibility remaining and is the fourth Washington transfer to head to Tuscaloosa to join former coach Kalen DeBoer, joining wide receiver Germie Bernard, center Parker Brailsford and quarterback Austin Mack.
The player additions capped off an overall busy day, which included the reported hires of three assistant coaches: Chris Kapilovic (offensive line), Bryan Ellis (tight end) and Christian Robinson (outside linebackers).
What do additions mean for Alabama?
Sabb, 6 feet 1 and 208 pounds, adds much needed experience and depth to a secondary that was hit hard by offseason attrition via the NFL Draft and transfer portal. Alabama’s situation at safety looks much more solidified with Sabb joining veterans Malachi Moore, a multi-year starter, and DeVonta Smith, who would’ve been in contention for a prominent role on the 2023 defense if not for a preseason foot injury. The Crimson Tide also have former blue-chip recruit Tony Mitchell and several highly ranked high school prospects via the 2024 class. Sabb is an instant plug-and-play contributor that will allow the new defensive staff to have flexibility when considering both safety spots as well as HUSKY (formerly known as Star in Nick Saban’s system) and allow for Mitchell and the other young defensive backs to continue developing.
Cuevas, 6-3 and 239 pounds, supplements the loss of Amari Niblack (Texas) to the transfer portal, and Alabama still has CJ Dippre, Robbie Ouzts, Danny Lewis Jr. and Ty Lockwood from last season’s team. Alabama also added freshmen Caleb Odom, an early enrollee, and Jay Lindsey via the 2024 recruiting class.
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Alabama’s scholarship count stood at 81 players prior to the new additions, four short of the NCAA limit. The deficit means that Alabama can continue to be aggressive when seeking players via the portal to supplement its roster. Sabb and Cuevas were able transfer due to head coach departures; the NCAA spring transfer window opens on April 15.
The start date of Alabama’s spring practice is unknown but the A-Day spring game is scheduled for April 13.
(Photo of Keon Sabb: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)