Kirk Herbstreit compares Caleb Downs hype to Minkah Fitzpatrick during freshman seasons at Alabama

Expectations are extraordinarily high for Ohio State sophomore Caleb Downs. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Kirk Herbstreit added to the hype train behind the Alabama transfer by making a bold comparison.

“Minkah Fitzpatrick showed up as a true freshman. I watched his first scrimmage,” Herbstreit said. “I was down at the stadium down in Tuscaloosa. Kirby [Smart] was the defensive coordinator. They had all these NFL first-rounders everywhere and I got done with the scrimmage, I go down to the field. I go to Kirk. I go, ‘Who’s that kid?’

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“I was like, ‘That guy looks different. When he’s not in, he’s standing next to the seniors. He looks like he’s asking questions.’ And [Smart] was like, ‘He’s got a chance to be pretty special.’ … Caleb Downs is that kind of guy.”

In his debut collegiate campaign at Alabama, Downs tallied 107 tackles, becoming the first Alabama freshman to lead his team in tackles in program history dating back to at least 1970. He also record 3.5 tackles for loss, five pass deflections and two interceptions.

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For his efforts, he was named the 2023 SEC Freshman of the year, the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year, an All-SEC First Team member and a Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press.

In comparison, Fitzpatrick notched 45 total tackles, with three for a loss (-18 yards), two sacks (-17 yards), two interceptions (both returned for scores), 11 pass breakups and one quarterback hurry in his freshman season at Alabama.

He was named to a Freshman All-American (Sporting News) and to the Freshman All-SEC Team. Fitzpatrick went on to win the Bednarik and Thorpe awards his junior year, becoming of the most decorated defensive backs in Alabama history.

While Caleb Downs won’t continue to build his legacy at Alabama, he has a chance to weave together an even greater collegiate career than Fitzpatrick.

“Not to mention, Minkah played money backer, nickel — he could play corner. He could play safety. That dude was doing everything as a freshman,” Herbstreit said. “You knew what he was going to become.

“I think [Downs] is great. They’ve had a lot of good ones come through there. He’s going to help Ohio State immensely, just with his energy and just his leadership. He’s just an old soul.”

On Saturday, Downs will make his debut for the Buckeyes as they square off against Akron at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.