With nearly two dozen of their players hitting the transfer portal over the past few days, Alabama are going to see a lot of their rivals scoop up some of their top talents – that is to say, former talents.
According to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports, SEC Freshman of the Year cornerback Caleb Downs has entered the transfer portal with Georgia and Ohio State considered the “two teams to watch.” Per the report, Georgia are seen as the team with “the upper hand” due in part to his roots in the state of Georgia and the departure of the key assistants who recruited him.
“The SEC Freshman of the Year and second-team All-American will receive interest from plenty of suitors, but multiple sources have told On3 that Georgia and Ohio State are the two teams to watch. Both were finalists to land Downs in his high school recruitment,” Nakos wrote.
“The Bulldogs are thought to have the upper hand to land the defensive back, who became the first Alabama freshman to lead his team in tackles in program history dating back to at least 1970. A Georgia native, the former Five-Star Plus+ prospect was recruited by Charles Kelly and Travaris Robinson to Alabama. Both are no longer with the Tide, and Robinson was recently named the new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach in Athens.”
Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs has officially entered the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.
The SEC Freshman Player of the Year and Shaun Alexander Award winner posted 107 Tackles and 2 INTs this season. Former Five-Star Plus+ recruit.https://t.co/EAfTvI2739 pic.twitter.com/zbS3YaYZNj
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) January 17, 2024
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As a true freshman in 2023, Caleb Downs had 107 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended along with a forced fumble.
Will Downs be a superstar for his next team?