Caleb Downs, an Alabama transfer safety, will visit Ohio State’s house on Thursday, according to a report from Pete Nakos of On3.
Following the retirement of seven-time national champion head coach Nick Saban, Downs made his way into the transfer site on Wednesday. Ohio State and Georgia are regarded as the two front-runners for the 2023 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award. Georgia recently hired Travaris Robinson, former secondary coach of Alabama under Downs, as its co-defensive coordinator.
This is Ohio State’s second attempt to sign Downs; in 2023, the Buckeyes came in second to Alabama in the high school draft, which included the five-star defensive back. As the top safety in the class and sixth overall prospect, Downs inked a contract with the Crimson Tide. Downs was an instant starter on Alabama’s defense at the back end under head coach Nick Saban. He led the team in tackles with 107, had three pass breakups, two interceptions, and one forced fumble while playing at an All-SEC caliber. He also scored a touchdown on a punt return.
Although Ohio State does not desperately need a safety, a player with Downs’ caliber—according to ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren, he is rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the transfer portal—would undoubtedly be welcomed in Columbus.
Since Josh Proctor graduated, Downs’ open safety spot is currently up for grabs for the Buckeyes. Ja’Had Carter and Malik Hartford are both contenders to take over in that role. It’s also possible for Lathan Ransom to move from strong safety.
Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports reports that Downs wants to decide quickly in order to start working with his new squad and enroll in classes.
Gary, Downs’ father, told Wiltfong, “We don’t have time to look at a lot of unknowns because our time is so limited.” “Previous relationships with people must be included. Knowing that you have to be ready for change, we want to look for a place that is stable, with the same coach and coordinators. .. He recently turned nineteen. He has a lot on his plate right now. You don’t approach this circumstance with the intention of transferring.
PROCTOR ACCESSES THE TRANSFER PORTAL OFFICIALLY
According to Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer of 247Sports, former Alabama left lineman Kadyn Proctor, another possible target for Ohio State, has formally registered on the transfer portal.
As a true freshman in 2023, Proctor appeared in all 14 of Alabama’s games at the start. The 6-foot-7, 360-pound prospect finished the season with a 66.3 Pro Football Focus grade, which included a 67.2 run blocking grade and a 58.8 pass blocking grade.
Predictions that Proctor would transfer to Iowa, which is two hours away from his birthplace of Des Moines, began to circulate shortly after he declared he would use the transfer site. Proctor will be fiercely contested by the Hawkeyes. Nevertheless, Ohio State will also contend for the top overall tackle spot in the 2023 class, a source informed Eleven Warriors.
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