Sources: Star Bama safety Downs goes into portal

• Pete Thamel, ESPNJan 17, 2024, 09:49 AM ET

Alabama security Caleb Downs, a second-team All-American in his freshman season, is headed to the NCAA transfer website, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.Downs earned a starting security spot as a real freshman in 2023 and became the first known freshman to lead the group in tackles, according to his school bio. He earned first-team All-SEC honors and was the SEC’s Beginner of the Year.Downs received various freshman All-America honors and also got second-team All-America honors for all players from The Associated Press.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Downs finished fourth in the SEC in tackles with 107 and had a hand in 4

turnovers with a forced fumble, a recuperated fumble and 2 interceptions. He likewise returned a punt 85 lawns for a touchdown.Against Texas, he had 10 deals with and required a fumble, and he led the team in deals with in the Tide’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan.Downs(6 feet, 203 pounds)tasks as one of the top picks in the 2026 NFL draft. He’ll have 2 seasons remaining anywhere he goes before draft eligibility.

He’ll be one of the most talented and desirable players to get in the transfer portal this season. Former Alabama coach Nick Saban had been unusually gushing in explaining Downs’ skill and ceiling for a freshman.On his radio show this season, Saban stated of Downs:”I think what impresses me most about Caleb Downs is his maturity. He’s a very instinctive football player, but this guy, there’s no arrogance

about him, being among the very best players in the country at his position.”Downs signs up with sophomore receiver Isaiah Bond as front-line Crimson Tide players to get in the website since Saban’s retirement. Bond has since transferred to Texas.Alabama’s offending line likewise took a struck Wednesday as starting left take on Kadyn Proctor announced he will be entering the transfer portal.Proctor, ESPN’s No. 10 general recruit and No. 2 offending take on in the 2023 class, began throughout the season and made freshman All-SEC

honors from the league’s coaches.The 6-foot-7, 360-pound player from Des Moines, Iowa, initially devoted to Iowa as a high school hire before switching to Alabama.

He likewise got substantial interest from Oregon and other programs.Caleb Downs is the younger brother of Josh Downs, the Colts rookie pass receiver who starred at North Carolina. Their father, Gary

Downs, played running back in the NFL for the Giants, Broncos and Falcons.Entering college, Caleb Downs picked Alabama over Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Clemson. He was a luxury hire and ESPN’s No. 11 recruit in 2023 coming out of high school.ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg added to this report.