Jalen Milroe and one potential breakout defensive star will be the keys to 2024 Alabama football season

As fall camp and scrimmages continue to progress for Alabama in Kalen DeBoer's first season as head coach everything looks like it's coming together for the Crimson Tide. The stacked roster full of high pedigree talent infused with some key high impact transfers was already clicking over this past weekend in Alabama's scrimmage. But if Alabama is going to have the season they want to, making it back to the College Football Playoff, which players are going to be the keys to their success?

One obvious answer is Jalen Milroe, as he has been loving the "offense catered to [him]" this off-season. Based on what we saw last year Milroe's developmental trajectory was already soaring towards potential greatness. In Kalen DeBoer's offense he could be completely unlocked. However, the defense is where Alabama really needs players to step up in 2024, and one potential breakout defensive star might be the key to success.

Keon Sabb, Transfer Defensive Back

After the departure of elite defensive back Caleb Downs via the Transfer Portal this past off-season as he joined the Ohio State Buckeyes, it was clear Alabama needed to make a big move at safety. Downs led the team in both tackles (with over 100) and defensive snaps last season as the best player on the entire defense as a true freshman. How could they ever replace him?

Enter Keon Sabb, a high upside young transfer from Michigan. Sabb came into college as a Top 100 recruit in the nation back in 2022. The talent was clear, but he was joining a stacked room of veteran defensive backs so he didn't break out until last season, where he operated within the Wolverines' do-it-all fifth defensive back role.

Sabb played like a future pro last season limiting opponents to just 10 receptions against him on over 220 coverage snaps. He allowed less than a 48% completion rate and a sub-45 passer rating when targeted (absolutely elite marks for a safety). Despite 2023 being his first collegiate season playing significant snaps he was immediately one of the best defensive backs in the game. He was set for a likely expanded role in 2024, but chose to transfer after Rod Moore (fellow Michigan safety) announced he was returning, eating into Keon Sabb's implied snaps.

Related: Three potential Alabama Crimson Tide breakout players for the 2024 college football season

Since joining the Crimson Tide, Sabb has become an integral part of the defense, consistently earning starter reps in practices and scrimmages throughout this off-season. When asked about why he joined Alabama, Sabb said this:

"It was how hard [Alabama] fought. That was our toughest game last year for sure. They definitely got us [down] to the end--that last play. I definitely could see how passionate those guys were about playing football."

Sabb loved the passion he saw from the players in the semifinal matchup between Michigan and Alabama when he was playing for the Maize and Blue. And it's clear that Sabb's play and leadership has earned the respect of his new Alabama teammates now too. Defensive Coordinator Kane Wommack calls Sabb a "very special talent" and was quoted just last week saying that he's becoming one of the team's leaders on defense.

Both Sabb and Malachi Moore have been leading the team through drills and playing almost every snap with the first team throughout fall camp as the two foundational faces of the secondary. Sabb's quick integration into Alabama's defense and ability to play multiple roles just like Moore has demonstrated in the past will be key in creating tough pre and post-snap looks for opposing offenses to dissect.

New head coach Kalen DeBoer has already expressed how happy he's been with Milroe's leadership in running the offense smoothly, as there have been very limited penalties or mental mistakes in recent practices and scrimmages. The offensive side of the ball seems to be in a good place. If Sabb can truly step up as the team's replacement for Caleb Downs on defense then Alabama is going to be right there in the mix for a national championship amid a deep College Football Playoff run this fall.

Related: Alabama DC Kane Wommack looking to leverage a new rule change through a game of: 'Cat & mouse'

Be looking for more Alabama Crimson Tide coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

And if you want to check out some of the special highlights from Keon Sabb's 2023 season to get a preview of how good he could be for Alabama you can find those in the video below!