Caleb Downs will take Nick Saban's 'consistency' to Ohio State

Caleb Downs sat in the Alabama football meeting room on Jan. 10 next to teammates when Nick Saban delivered the news he was retiring.

The SEC Freshman of the Year had put his faith in the greatest college football coach of all time and the bet had paid off. The defensive back became the first Alabama freshman to lead his team in tackles in program history dating back to at least 1970.

But after enrolling early and dominating at Alabama for a year, Downs had to reassess his future. The former Five-Star Plus+ recruit entered the transfer portal a week after Saban announced he was stepping away from college football.

He took roughly 48 hours to make a decision, ultimately picking Ohio State over Georgia. The Buckeyes pulled out every stop, even making an in-home visit with the second-team All-American.

“I got 102 calls in one day – well not in one day, probably seven or eight hours,” Downs said on Tuesday during his first media appearance in Columbus. “Just being able to minimize what my mind was going through, that was a big thing for me to make a sound decision.

“I just love the program here, I love coach [Tim] Walton, and love what the people had to say around here. I believe in coach [Ryan] Day, and I believe in this team.”

The Buckeyes swung and missed the first time in his high school recruitment. But the second time around – after living up to promises of crafting an elite defense – they landed Downs. Ohio State was not viewed as the favorite to land the defensive back at any point, though.

Most believed the Georgia native would follow his former recruiter and Alabama cornerback assistant, Travaris Robinson, to Athens. Robinson was recently named the Bulldogs’ new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach in Athens. Joining Kirby Smart’s dominant defense was the assumption.

“There was definitely some back-and-forth, there was a lot to think about and process between me and my family,” Downs said. “At the end of the day, I made the decision, and I’m here.”

Ohio State won out for multiple reasons. Downs’ father, Gary, grew up with Walton. Many believe the Buckeyes finished second in his high school recruitment, something Downs just answered “OK” to on Tuesday.

Arguably most importantly, the defense lived up to the hype. Jim Knowles and Ryan Day tried to recruit the 5-foot-11.5, 190-pound defensive back to Columbus with the pitch of helping turn around the defense. He didn’t bite. But the Buckeyes finished third in total defense in the nation in 2023. There is enough evidence for Downs to believe in Ohio State the second time.

“They played great defense last year, he said. “Just watching the film and seeing how they progressed and seeing how their defense played last year definitely helped me make a sound decision and what I would be getting into.”

Leaving Alabama was never supposed to be the plan for Caleb Downs. He picked the Crimson Tide because of Saban. To win an SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. Downs checked one of those off his list. He will have to finish the second at Ohio State.

His daily interactions with his former head coach, who produced 123 NFL Draft picks during his tenure in Tuscaloosa, still stick with the defensive back who has trained to be an elite player his entire life. Already thought to be a top prospect for the 2026 NFL draft, Downs is the younger brother of Josh Downs, the North Carolina product drafted in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts.

Despite moving to the Big Ten, the expectations are the same for the defensive back. Sure, Day and Ohio State are under pressure after losing to Michigan three consecutive seasons. The Wolverines just captured their first national title since 1997.

But the lessons learned in Tuscaloosa will move with Caleb Downs to Columbus.

“He [Saban] was committed every single day to being his best self,” he said. “Not many people can say that and be truthful with that. He was the same person every single day. Taught me a lot about commitment, being disciplined and consistency. Everything that goes with that and being great. That’s what he embodies.”

“… The same expectations that I’ve had my whole life, the same like expectations that we had at Bama to win games and dominate every game and go win a championship.”