Caleb Downs Expected to Enter Transfer Portal

Caleb Downs Expected to Enter Transfer Portal

Alabama safety Caleb Downs is expected to enter the transfer portal, 247 Sports first reported Wednesday. The sophomore is one of the best players to enter the portal and will have plenty of suitors. 

As a freshman at Alabama, Downs immediately cemented himself as one of the best defensive backs in the country. The fact that he earned a starting spot on Alabama’s defense in his first year of collegiate football speaks for itself. In the secondary, Downs fit right in next to upperclassman and future NFL players Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. 

Downs’ intention to transfer comes shortly after Nick Saban announced his retirement. That likely played a role in his decision. This transfer will come without penalty because there was a coaching change, so that will allow Downs to transfer later in his career without sitting a year. 

As a recruit, Downs was the No. 6 ranked player and No. 1 ranked safety in the 2023 247 Sports Composite Rankings. Now, as a transfer, he is the top-ranked player in the portal. 

Downs will have plenty of universities calling for his services. Not only is he an outstanding player, but he has three years of eligibility remaining. In all likelihood, he will only play two more seasons before leaving for the NFL. 

The leader to land Downs is Georgia, according to 247 Sports. The connections between Downs and Georgia are fairly obvious. Downs, a Hoschton native, is a hometown product. Furthermore, in the wake of coaching turnover at Alabama, Georgia added former Alabama safety coach Travaris Robinson to its coaching staff, so if Downs heads to Georgia, he will be reunited with his former position coach.

Outside of Georgia, 247 Sports added that Ohio State is expected to pursue Downs.

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Downs will be highly recruited until he names his next school. This has the possibility of becoming an NIL bidding war, but will likely desire a school that can prepare him for the NFL as well.

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