Report: Alabama's Caleb Downs Enters Transfer Portal After Nick Saban's Retirement

Alabama freshman safety Caleb Downs is reportedly entering the transfer portal.

Tom VanHaaren of ESPN reported the star defensive back, who won SEC Freshman of the Year, will explore his options after the retirement of Nick Saban.

Downs was the No. 8 overall prospect and top-ranked safety coming out of the 2023 high school class, per 247Sports. He was an instant-impact player upon his arrival, racking up 107 tackles and two interceptions on his way to earning first-team All-SEC honors.

Losing Downs would be a critical blow for new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, who left Washington to take on the Herculean task of replacing one of the greatest coaches in college football history. Downs was set to be an anchor in the Tide secondary for at least the next two seasons and already looks like a potential first-round pick.

Before committing to Alabama, Downs took visits to Notre Dame, Georgia and Ohio State. It would not be a surprise if those three schools again made hard pitches to bring Downs into the fold for the 2024 season.

On paper, Georgia would appear to be the favorite given the consistent development of elite NFL talent by Kirby Smart and the fact that Downs went to Mill Creek High School in the state. Former Alabama defensive back Jake Pope already announced his intention to transfer to Georgia.

The Tide have also lost cornerback Dezz Ricks to Texas A&M, wide receiver Isaiah Bond to Texas and running back Roydell Williams to Florida State.