Why did Caleb Downs transfer from Alabama to Ohio State? Facts on Buckeyes DB
There will be some flair from the Crimson Tide even though Alabama football did not make it to the 2024 College Football Playoffs this season.
Two former Alabama standouts, receiver Isaiah Bond and safety Caleb Downs, will square off in one of the most anticipated games of Friday’s Cotton Bowl CFP semifinal between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 5 Texas from the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas.
Both have the power to greatly influence the game’s outcome and decide who will face the winner of Penn State and Notre Dame in the national championship game on January 20, even if it is doubtful that they will face one another.
Caleb Downs transferred from Alabama to Ohio State for what reason?
On January 17, 2023, following his one and only season in Tuscaloosa, Downs logged into the NCAA Transfer Portal. That was only five days after Alabama named Kalen DeBoer as Nick Saban’s replacement and a week after the famous coach abruptly announced his retirement. “His heart dropped” upon learning of Saban’s retirement, according to Downs.
DeBoer’s decision to fire Travaris Robinson, his position coach, was another reason he decided to depart. Robinson joined the staff of Georgia and Kirby Smart.
When he logged onto the site, Downs claimed to have received 102 calls in a single day, according to The Tuscaloosa News. The gateway was described by Downs as “recruiting on steroids.”
In the end, Downs’ affinity for secondary/cornerback coach Tim Walton led him to select the Buckeyes over his home-state Georgia Bulldogs.
Caleb Downs’s high school recruit rating is 247.
Five stars
Overall, national ranking: seventh
Ranking in order of importance: #1 Security
State ranking: Georgia’s top player
As a transfer:
Five stars
Absolute ranking: #1 overall
Ranking in order of importance: Safety
