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Penn State football in contact with Michigan star defender in transfer portal

A one time Penn State football top recruiting target has entered the transfer portal. Will the already established relationship be enough for James Franklin to pursue this star?

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Penn State football, Keon Sabb, Michigan, Transfer Portal
Oct 7, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Keon Sabb (3) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Michigan football program has seen several major changes since securing the 2023 National Championship. Jim Harbaugh is off to be the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Players and coaches leaving the program to head to the NFL and players leaving to enter the transfer portal. Now, Michigan safety and a one-time Penn State football high-priority recruit Keon Sabb has entered the transfer portal.

Michigan star enters the transfer portal

Keon Sabb was a high four-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class. Sabb played his high school football at IMG Academy and was a top-10 safety in the 2022 cycle. Eventually committing to Michigan, Sabb has spent the last two seasons with the Wolverines.

In 2023, had a career year appearing in 14 games, collecting 28 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 passes defended, and 1 tackle for loss. Now, entering his Junior season in 2024, Pete Nakos of On3 reports that Sabb has entered the transfer portal.

With a National Championship background and coming off a career season, the market will be high for Sabb. James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are one of 18 schools to already contact the Michigan defender. But does it make sense for Penn State to pursue him?

Sabb’s connection to Penn State

If you are a recruiting junkie and remember each cycle, Keon Sabb’s name should sound familiar. Penn State football hosted Sabb in October of 2019, the same month the Nittany Lions offered him a scholarship. Then, in June 2021, he returned to Penn State for another visit after releasing his top 6 schools, a list which the Nittany Lions appeared on.

James Franklin recently spoke about the importance of already having a relationship with a player and their family before pursuing them in the transfer portal. Franklin said, “One of the things that I would prefer to do when possible is if we go to the transfer portal more times than not, I would love for it to be a guy that we recruited on the front end.”



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Former Editor-In-Chief at Victory Bell Rings, Morgan is the current Site Manager for Basic Blues Nation, host of the Basic Blues Podcast, and co-host of the weekly Penn State Roar Room spaces. Morgan lives in upstate New York with his wife and cats.

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