Caleb Downs, Alabama’s Star Safety, Transfers to Ohio State, per Report

The All-American is heading to the Big Ten after a monster freshman season.

Tom Dierberger | Jan 19, 2024

Caleb Downs, Alabama’s Star Safety, Transfers to Ohio State, per Report /

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Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama will be operating without its leading tackler next season.

Former Crimson Tide safety Caleb Downs, who entered the transfer portal earlier this week, has committed to Ohio State, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Downs, already viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL draft, was named an All-American after racking up a team-high 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions across 14 games.

Downs joins a list of nearly 30 Alabama players who have entered the transfer portal since Nick Saban announced his retirement earlier this month.

Downs is in store for at least two more collegiate seasons before he enters the NFL draft. It appears he’ll spend his sophomore campaign playing for Buckeyes coach Ryan Day in the revamped Big Ten.

Published Jan 19, 2024

TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.