Caleb Downs transferred from Alabama to Ohio State last winter and made an immediate impact with the Buckeyes.

When legendary coach Nick Saban retired in January, Downs and other Crimson Tide players were able to put their names in the transfer portal and go elsewhere.

Here’s what you should know about Downs, the All-America safety who was as coveted as any available transfer during the offseason:

Ohio State has recruited Caleb Downs twice

The sixth-ranked prospect nationally in the 2023 recruiting class, Downs had plenty of suitors coming out of Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia.

Ohio State football: The emergence of Caleb Downs and the spirit that could elevate an elite Buckeyes defense

The Buckeyes were among them, and Downs took an official visit to Ohio State in June 2022.

But a month later, he committed to Alabama and beat out other finalists, including Georgia and Notre Dame, to make an immediate impact as a freshman.

Caleb Downs was a productive tackler at Alabama in 2023

Downs was among only four players in the Southeastern Conference with 100 or more tackles last fall.

His 107 tackles were by far the Crimson Tide’s most. Middle linebacker Deontae Lawson was next with 67 tackles.

According to school statistics, he became the first freshman since at least 1970 to lead Alabama in tackles.

Caleb Downs comes from a football family

Downs followed in his family’s footsteps.

His older brother Josh is the Indianapolis Colts’ starting receiver after the franchise took him in the third round of the NFL draft last year following a productive career at North Carolina.

Her father, Gary, spent six seasons as a running back in the league with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants and Denver Broncos, a career that spanned from 1994 to 2000.

His uncle Dre Bly was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame a decade ago as the Tar Heels’ star cornerback. He also played 11 seasons in the NFL.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. @joeyrkaufman or send him an email at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State Football: Meet Caleb Downs, the Buckeyes’ star safety