Alabama safety Caleb Downs could be the ultimate trump card for Georgia or Ohio State's title hopes in 2024
If the recruiting industry issued 6-stars to prospects and transfers, then Caleb Downs would surely be among the elite to net such a ranking.
The Alabama safety is a transcendent talent, and following Nick Saban’s surprising retirement, Downs’ decision to enter the transfer portal could alter the 2024 national title race.
He’s that’s good — a phenom in the truest sense.
Downs instantly becomes the best player to enter the portal in the 2024 cycle.
He started as a true freshman for the Crimson Tide, earning All-American honors and drawing comps to some of Saban’s best defensive backs ever.
He led Alabama with 107 tackles, adding two interceptions, a forced fumble and half a dozen PBUs. The former 5-star prospect and No. 1 safety in the 2023 class also graded out as the best coverage safety in the SEC last season, per PFF.
If that weren’t enough, Downs flashed as an electric punt returner in limited chances, taking a punt 85 yards for a touchdown late in the season.
Rarely do players of Downs’ quality enter the portal. The fact that Downs has multiple seasons of eligibility remaining makes him even more valuable. Downs’ departure is a huge blow for Alabama — an unfortunate ripple effect to Saban’s retirement.
But the Crimson Tide’s loss will be another program’s game-changing addition.
In today’s college football, finishing as a bridesmaid in a prospect’s recruitment does mean something now. Georgia and Ohio State are the rumored top suitors — and they were the runner-ups in Downs’ recruitment.
Both programs are among the top title contenders next season.
Which is why Caleb Downs the X-factor for 2024. He’s the one non-quarterback transfer who could legitimately swing the national title race.
Caleb Downs could’ve gone through spring practice with Alabama’s new staff and then made his decision on if he wanted to transfer. But by submitting his name into the portal within the 30-day window after Saban’s retirement, Downs is keeping all options open.
Georgia, which would’ve been off the table had Downs waited until the spring, makes a lot of sense for the former blue-chip prospect. He’s a Peach State native, has a close relationship with Kirby Smart and his former Alabama position coach and top recruiter Travaris Robinson is now coaching safeties for the Bulldogs.
Downs would be a natural fit in UGA’s defense, which is very similar to what Alabama does schematically.
Notably, a second safety is one of Georgia’s few holes entering next season. Javon Bullard is off to the NFL, leaving a void next to All-American Malachi Starks. The Bulldogs flipped 5-star safety KJ Bolden from Florida State, but if they land Downs, a former 7-on-7 teammate with Bolden, then he could help groom Bolden while filling in as a plug-and-play starter.
A Downs-Starks pairing would instantly be the best safety duo in the country, too.
Despite all of Downs’ ties to the Bulldogs, Ohio State should not be discounted in the race. The Buckeyes are returning the bulk of their Top 10 defense — with Ryan Day’s team seemingly gearing up for an all-in 2024 season.
JT Tuimoloau, Denzel Burke, Tyleik Williams, Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton, and Lathan Ransom have all decided to return for their senior seasons, and adding Downs would be the cherry on top for Jim Knowles’ defense. Downs would be the missing piece, and his addition would provide Knowles with all sorts of flexibility to move former 5-star Sonny Styles into a more hybrid linebacker role.
Ohio State has been very aggressive in the portal this offseason (Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, Ole Miss tailback Quinshon Judkins), but a superstar like Downs could make the Buckeyes the title favorites next fall.
A week ago, Caleb Downs was set to become the face of Alabama’s program for the next two seasons and Saban’s latest star-studded defensive back destined to be a top NFL Draft pick. But a stunning retirement created a domino effect that will now change the fortunes of one program’s title hopes in 2024.
Will it be Georgia? Ohio State? A surprise contender?
Wherever Downs ends up, one team might’ve landed the ultimate trump card for 2024.