On3 Roundtable: Alabama freshman Caleb Downs will make ‘automatic’ impact

Alabama brings in a number of talented freshmen in its 2023 class, but none stand out more than defensive back Caleb Downs. One of five players with a five-star rating in the Crimson Tide’s No. 1 recruiting class, Downs has the best chance of any of those first-year players to contribute right away.

Bama Insider‘s Clint Lamb joined JD PicKell for an On3 Roundtable discussion, where he made the case for Downs to have an “automatic” impact.

“The one that is automatic, I’m gonna go with Caleb Downs,” Lamb said. “He feels like the easy decision here just because not only do I think he’s gonna be in a position where he can win the starting job, but I think he’s gonna be an impact player and a transformative player for this Alabama defense. What he can provide you as far as run support, coverage whether it be man or zone, he can play in the box, he can make tackles, you can send him on blitzes. He’s a very smart, instinctual player and he just seems to have a great understanding for the game of football and what opposing offenses are trying to do.

“For being such a young guy, the fact that he already has all those abilities, I think he’s set up for success early in his career at Alabama and I think he’s gonna end up being a really good player.”

Downs ranks as the No. 5 overall player and No. 1 safety in the class according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He received first-team reps during spring practice, another indicator of how big his role could be next season.

Still, Lamb went on to add that Downs isn’t guaranteed a starting job just yet. He pointed to the addition of UAB transfer safety Jaylen Key earlier this month as well as returning players like Kristian Story who could challenge the freshman.

In the end, however, Lamb would still rank Downs as the second-best defensive back on the roster behind only Kool-Aid McKinstry. That sets up the freshman for high expectations before even playing a game, but based on what he showed this spring, he should have no problem delivering.

“He hasn’t locked up a starting job necessarily at this point in the offseason,” Lamb said. “A lot’s gotta happen in fall camp. But he worked with the first team throughout the spring. Kristian Story’s there. They added Jaylen Key out of the transfer portal. So they’ve beefed up the competition, but right now, Caleb Downs just seems like he’s gonna be too good of a player to keep off of the field.

“I was actually ranking Alabama’s defensive backs yesterday and I listed Kool-Aid McKinstry No. 1, but I came very close to putting Caleb Downs as 1B. I ended up listing him No. 2, but he’s just that kind of player. I understand that’s a lot of hype for a freshman, but if anybody can live up to that hype I think it’s Caleb Downs.”

Alabama lost several key contributors from its secondary this offseason, including Demarcco Hellams, Brian Branch and Jordan Battle. That in mind, the Crimson Tide will certainly be searching for other players to fill the void, and Downs seems like a prime candidate.