Alabama star DB Caleb Downs enters transfer portal with Georgia favored as potential landing spot

After an outstanding first campaign, Alabama safety Caleb Downs has entered the transfer portal, with Georgia emerging as the “clear favorite” to sign him, per 247Sports. As a standout defensive back in the league for a Crimson Tide squad that advanced to the College Football Playoffs, Downs won SEC Freshman of the Year.

According to Caleb Downs’ father Gary Downs, “we’re not starting from square one of recruiting,” 247Sports said. “We already know a great deal of these coaches. We have visited many locations. He is searching for products that fit specific criteria.”

The departure of coach Nick Saban created a 30-day opening for Alabama players to transfer, even though it is outside of a set window for athletes to use the portal. Losing Downs would be devastating for the team and head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Downs, who is regarded by 247Sports as a five-star prospect and the best safety in the Class of 2023, made his debut for Alabama early in the season and lived up to the excitement he created as a high school prospect. With 107 stops and two interceptions at the end of the season, he was named to the second team of the SEC and the FWAA Freshman All-American.
Pro Football Focus gave him the highest coverage grade of any safety in the conference (88.9), and he became the first freshman in Alabama program history to lead the team in tackles. On November 18, Downs demonstrated his potential as a punter returner by scoring an 85-yard return touchdown against Chattanooga.
Travaris Robinson, an Alabama native who coached the Crimson Tide’s cornerbacks for the last two seasons, was recently hired by Georgia as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. UGA is an obvious choice for Robinson, a seasoned SEC coach with a strong rapport with Downs.

Downs was a player at Hoschton, Georgia’s Mill Creek High School. The Georgia campus in Athens is less than an hour’s drive away, and Downs gave the Bulldogs serious consideration after high school. Additionally, with safety Javon Bullard declaring for the NFL Draft, Downs now has a hole to cover.