Heading into the 2024 season, Alabama’s secondary appeared solid, with fifth-year senior Malachi Moore and Michigan transfer Keon Sabb anchoring the safety positions. The real concern for the Crimson Tide was their youth at cornerback. However, during the Tennessee game, Sabb suffered a foot injury that ended his season. Despite this setback, Alabama’s defense continued to perform well, with sophomore Bray Hubbard stepping up. Hubbard quickly became a key player in the defense and, after a strong finish to the season, is now considered a standout for 2025.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently ranked Hubbard as the No. 6 returning safety in college football. In his first career start against Missouri, Hubbard recorded an interception and finished the season with three. The Mississippi native also contributed significantly in the run game, totaling 57 tackles and a forced fumble, highlighted by an 11-tackle performance against Oklahoma. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, a transfer from Alabama, is ranked as the top safety on PFF’s list. The SEC is well represented, with Texas’ Michael Taafe at No. 4 and Georgia’s KJ Bolden at No. 5.
Alabama has been without Sabb during spring practice due to his injury. The team’s spring practice concludes on Saturday with A-Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama will kick off the 2025 season against Florida State, who is coming off a disappointing 2-10 season.
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