Earlier today, Michigan safety Keon Sabb has entered the portal following the departure of Jim Harbaugh and most of the defensive staff after the Wolverines’ national title run.
Sabb, a redshirt freshman in 2023, contributed 28 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2 INT, and 1 defensive TD in 14 games as Michigan claimed the National Championship. Sabb was a standout athlete at Glassboro High in NJ prior to stints at Williamstown (NJ) and then IMG Academy for his senior season.
Before he flipped to Michigan, Sabb was committed to Clemson and then-defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Sabb, already heavily considering Michigan, was pushed to Ann Arbor following the news of Venables leaving Clemson for the Oklahoma head job.
Billy Bowman returns as a starter at safety, but who starts opposite Bowman is still up in the air. Key Lawrence (Ole Miss) and Reggie Pearson (eligibility) are gone. OU has also used some sub-packages with three safeties, and there is always the Cheetah position to consider. It is no secret Venables likes versatility. Junior Robert Spears-Jennings and sophomore Peyton Bowen are joined by incoming freshmen Reggie Powers, Jaydan Hardy, and Michael Boganowski vying for playing time. It is possible that another DB like Makari Vickers and Kendal Dolby could also get a look, but Vickers is an ideal corner in this system, and Dolby is the most experienced player at Cheetah on the roster.
Could Venables be looking for some more experience and stability at the top with Bowman? Another player to compete with RSJ and Bowen while the freshmen get acclimated?
We may have an early hint at his intentions. Earlier today, OU extended an offer to 2026 athlete Amari Sabb of Glassboro (NJ).
Perhaps not a coincidence…
Image courtesy of Maize n Brew
