GLASSBORO — One of South Jersey’s biggest Friday Night stars is taking his game to Saturdays.
Amari Sabb has announced his decision to enroll at the University of Alabama on a football scholarship upon his graduation from Glassboro High School.
“It was a very tough decision,” Sabb said. “All the years leading up to this, all the coaches I’ve talked to, just looking over all the things, I just felt like this was the best situation. It was a tough decision. I had two other good schools to choose between. It all just came down to what feels best for me.”
Sabb narrowed down the multitude of offers he received from many of the country’s top collegiate football programs to Alabama, Oregon State and Notre Dame. When the time came for him to make his big reveal, Sabb selected the Crimson Tide ski hat out of the choices in front of him.
Sabb is very familiar with the Alabama program. Older brother, Keon, just completed his second season in Tuscaloosa as a redshirt junior in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Let’s just say ‘Bama had a slight recruiting edge.
“(Keon) was really pushing it,” Sabb said. “He never got to play with us. He was always jealous of me and Zay getting to play together. Getting a chance to play with my older brother is something special.”
At Glassboro, Sabb ran for 2,035 career yards with 30 touchdowns and caught 144 passes for 2,340 yards and 31 touchdowns. He added 14 career touchdowns with two pick-6s and a pair of return touchdowns.
The Bulldogs won consecutive Group 1 state championships and 26 consecutive games in Sabb’s final two seasons.
Walking off the field at Rutgers or the Meadowlands with a state championship trophy is one thing, announcing your college choice is another.
“Honestly, I love all of it,” Glassboro coach Timmy Breaker said. “To watch them achieve their dreams and have those aspirations since they were young, and to be able to actually work to make it happen is special. It makes me a little bit emotional because you’ve known him for so long. Obviously, Amari is my nephew. To see him fulfill his dreams is something that you know is special to the family. For him, to be going to play with his brother is even better.”
Sabb has played the last three seasons alongside younger brother, Xavier, who will be one of the country’s most highly recruited senior football players next fall.
It is a safe bet that Alabama is among the younger Sabb’s top options.
“(Xavier) is ready for it,” Breaker said. “He’s been gearing up for it. He’s excited about it. For him to watch his brother do it now, and his older brother to do it, I know he’s probably waiting on his turn, too.”
The Tide will have a pair of top recruiters in the youngest Sabb’s ear.
“We’re definitely going to get the word out,” Sabb said.
The word was already out for Sabb. Now the Bulldogs’ star has the perfect place to spend his fall Saturdays.
“Alabama has a rich program history,” Sabb said. “I like how the receivers there are always good. I like their offense, their passing game. I think all of that all just fits my playstyle.”
Tom Rimback grew up reading the Burlington County Times and Courier Post sports sections and began writing for the BCT in 1996. He has covered everything from Super Bowls and Final Fours to Tri-County Swimming but he’s happiest on a sideline interviewing South Jersey scholastic athletes. Follow him on twitter @Rimbacksports. Email him with story ideas at tomrimback@gmail.com and, most importantly, support local journalism with a subscription to the Courier-Post.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Alabama perfect spot for Glassboro football star Sabb
