Safety Caleb Downs — the No. 8 player in the Class of 2023 and No. 1 player in the transfer portal — has decided to transfer to Ohio State, after a standout freshman season at Alabama, his father, Gary Downs, told 247Sports. Caleb Downs entered the transfer portal after the Crimson Tide hired former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer to replace Nick Saban, who announced his retirement last week.
It was believed that Georgia would be the favorite to land Downs given he’s a Peach State native; however, the SEC Freshman of the Year instead decided to join a Buckeyes team that has been loading up on talent and coaches this offseason. Downs had a tremendous freshman season as a key part of Alabama’s turnaround and eventual run to the College Football Playoff.
“Obviously we’re not starting from square one of recruiting,” his father told 247Sports when Downs entered the portal. “We know so many of these coaches already. We’ve been a lot of places. There are certain parameters of things he’s looking for.”
Though the portal had already closed for the winter, Saban’s retirement triggered a 30-day window for Alabama players to make themselves eligible. A number of standout Tide players have decided to make moves rather than play under DeBoer.
Rated a five-star prospect by 247Sports, Downs started in the season opener for Alabama and delivered on the hype he generated as a high school prospect. He finished the season with 107 tackles and two interceptions, earning CBS Sports Freshman of the Year honors along with All-SEC second team and SEC All-Freshman accolades.
Downs’ coverage grade of 88.9 from Pro Football Focus registered as the best among all safeties in the SEC, and he was the first Alabama freshman in program history to lead the team in…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/caleb-downs-transfers-to-ohio-state-ex-alabama-star-db-picks-buckeyes-after-nick-sabans-retirement/
Author : David Cobb
Publish date : 2024-01-20 03:34:59
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