Caleb Downs transferred from Alabama to Ohio State last winter and made an immediate impact with the Buckeyes.
When legendary coach Nick Saban retired in January, it allowed Downs and other Crimson Tide players to put their names in the transfer portal and head elsewhere.
Here is what to know about Downs, the All-America safety who was as coveted as any transfer available in the offseason:
As the sixth-ranked prospect in the nation in the 2023 recruiting class, Downs had a lot of suitors while coming out of Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia.
Ohio State football:The making of Caleb Downs and the mind that could elevate an elite Buckeye defense
The Buckeyes were among them, and Downs took an official visit to Ohio State in June 2022.
But a month later, he committed to Alabama over other finalists that included Georgia and Notre Dame and made an immediate impact as a freshman.
Downs was among only four players in the Southeastern Conference with 100 or more tackles last fall.
His 107 tackles were the most among the Crimson Tide by a wide margin. Starting middle linebacker Deontae Lawson was next with 67 tackles.
It made him the first freshman to lead Alabama in tackles since at least 1970, according to statistics kept by the school.
Downs has followed in his family’s footsteps.
His older brother, Josh, is the starting slot receiver for the Indianapolis Colts after the franchise took him in the third round of the NFL draft last year after a prolific career at North Carolina.
Their father, Gary, spent six seasons as a running back in the league with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants and Denver Broncos, a career that spanned from 1994 through 2000.
His uncle, Dre Bly, was named to the College Football Hall of Fame a decade ago as a star cornerback with the Tar Heels. He also played 11 seasons in the NFL.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter,@joeyrkaufman or email him atjkaufman@dispatch.com.
