The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1451622
tight ends, running backs, slots, bigger receivers. Some of those guys that give coaches on the offensive side the ability to open their playbook with, he's kind of their [defensive] match in a sense." He's open minded when it comes to what position he'll play at the next level, and willing to give his all at any spot he's put in. He won't budge, though, on his goals. "Winning a national championship, that's the most important thing," Sabb said. "I definitely want to be a freshman All-American, I want to be a consis- tent All-American throughout the next couple years. "I need at least six-plus interceptions each year, need to be a ball hawk. That seven number is a big target for me." Just 15 Wolverines in history have notched six or more interceptions in a season, and none since cornerback Blake Countess in 2013. But Sabb's goal is attainable, according to Breaker, a former safety at Delaware. "I could see it happening, because he's going to push himself to do it," Breaker explained. "He's going to push himself to get it. And he's going to do everything in his power for the team to win. "Whatever they need him to do, whatever the coaches want him to do for his role on the team, he's going to do the best in his power to perfect his role. I've seen him do it multiple times. He went from a corner to safety. He also played quarterback at one point. He's willing to do whatever it takes to win, and whatever it is the team needs to fit that role for that scheme." ❑ 2022 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE MARCH 2022 THE WOLVERINE 57 KEON SABB SAFETY 6-2 • 200 IMG ACADEMY (FLA.) GLASSBORO, N.J. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 89 8 13 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 94 7 13 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 96 10 12 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 96 6 17 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 99 6 13 STATISTICS Year Tackles PD INT 2019 31 — 5 2018 46 7 6 HONORS • Helped lead an IMG defense that allowed 10.8 points per game with three shutouts and finished No. 16 in the MaxPreps national rankings; re- turned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown. • Played in the Under Armour All- American Game as a senior. • Second-team all-purpose player for the MaxPreps Junior All-America squad in 2020. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan on Dec. 15, 2021, after picking up his offer from the Maize and Blue in May 2020. • Picked U-M over other notable of- fers from Clemson, Georgia and Penn State. Was previously committed to Clemson. • Recruited by then-safeties coach Ron Bellamy and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale. DID YOU KNOW? • Is an early enrollee at Michigan. • Played at Glassboro (N.J.) High School as a freshman and sophomore, transferred to Williamston (N.J.) High for his junior year before finishing off his high school career at Florida pow- erhouse IMG Academy. • Tallied 29 catches for 376 yards and six scores as a sophomore. • Led Williamston with 358 receiving yards on 19 grabs in a shortened sea- son (COVID) as a junior. • Born Sept. 18, 2002. After previously committing to Clemson, Sabb was on hand for Michigan's big win against Ohio State and ultimately signed with U-M in December 2021. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND consensus THEY SAID IT • On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power after watching Moore at Under Amour All-American Game practice: "Keon Sabb is a bigger defensive back but showed the ability to cover as a deep safety, if needed. The coaches and receivers were complimentary of his cover skills and know-how. "We had one top receiver tell us that Sabb was the only defensive back who made him re-direct his route." • TheWolverine.com recruiting insider EJ Holland: "Sabb is a big safety that could eventually play a hybrid linebacker role. Either way, Sabb is a freak athlete and one of the best lands for Michigan this cycle. Sabb can play deep safety and uses his length and size to be an enforcer on the back end. "He is very comfortable in the box and loves to hit. I first saw Sabb live in seven-on- seven as a sophomore and immediately fell in love with his ability."