Caleb Downs transfers to Ohio State

    I don't often write about Ohio State recruiting or even transfers (although I did write about Will Howard's arrival and Kyle McCord's departure), but the announcement of Caleb Downs deciding to leave Alabama and selecting Ohio State is well worth the exception.

Ohio State had badly desired Downs for the recruiting class of 2023 and was regarded as the runner-up to Alabama for the safety of Hoschton, Georgia.

The Buckeyes would not be denied this time as they nosed out Georgia for the services of the player that most thought was the defensive freshman of the year nationally, won the SEC freshman of the year, and was named first-team All-SEC, an impressive feat as a freshman.

Downs has no weaknesses as he is a firm tackler, and plays the run well, and yet Downs is excellent in coverage with punt return ability, as Downs showed for the Crimson Tide against Tennessee when he returned a punt eighty-five yards for a score.

Downs finished last season with seventy solo tackles, a forced fumble, and two interceptions as the force on the Alabama defense.

At six foot and 203 pounds, Downs comes from a football family with his father Gary Downs with a pro history as a running back for three teams, his uncle Dre Bly spent eleven years in the NFL as a corner, and his brother Josh is currently with the Indianapolis Colts as a wide receiver, catching sixty-eight passes as a rookie this season.

Downs will pair with returning strong safety Lathon Ransom to give Ohio State the best pairing in the nation with the chance of both players making first-team All-American next season. 

The ball skills and tackling of Caleb Downs are yet another addition to an Ohio State defense that looks to be the best in the nation for 2024 and adds another tool to the belt of Ryan Day as he enters a year in which he will have plenty of advantages- and plenty at stake should he not take advantage of them.