Tide Standout Safety Caleb Downs Plans To Enter Transfer Portal: REPORTS

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Crimson Tide nation is reeling after news Wednesday morning that standout safety Caleb Downs plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per multiple reports.

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This follows the retirement of Nick Saban as Alabama's head football coach, the hiring of Washington's Kalen DeBoer as his replacement and the high-profile push for a defensive coordinator.

The next destination for Downs remains unclear at this time, although many are speculating on the possibility of his following former Tide defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson to Georgia.

During his debut campaign for the Crimson Tide, Downs became the first Alabama freshman in program history to lead the team in tackles dating back to when freshmen were first allowed to play in varsity games.

Downs was one of five finalists for the coveted Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, joining Will Anderson, Jr. as the program's only two winners of the honor. He also earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

The Hoschton, Georgia, native has had a stellar campaign in his first year at The Capstone, with Downs earning second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press and The Sporting News, while being named a second-team selection by USA Today.

Downs is arguably the toughest loss to the portal for the Crimson Tide and DeBoer as he gears up for his first year, with the talented safety joining a notable exodus of talent from the program, including:

• Isaiah Bond (WR) - Texas
• Trey Amos (CB) - Undecided
• Dezz Ricks (CB) - Texas A&M
• Ja'Corey Brooks (WR) - Louisville
• Roydell Williams (RB) - Florida State
• Malik Benson (WR) - Florida State
• Seth McLaughlin (C/OL) - Ohio State
• Earl Little II (CB) - Florida State
• Terrance Ferguson (OL) - Florida State
• Kristian Story (S) - Kentucky
• Jake Pope (S) - Georgia
• Isaiah Hastings (DL) - Syracuse
• Kendrick Blackshire (LB) - Texas
• Eli Holstein (QB) - Pittsburgh
• Monkell Goodwine (DL) - South Carolina
• Anquin Barnes (DL) - Colorado
• Miles Kitselman (TE) - Tennessee

The biggest gets for the Tide thus far by way of the portal has been four-star defensive lineman LT Overton, who is transferring from Texas A&M and four-star cornerback Domani Jackson from Southern Cal.

Alabama has also secured Texas A&M transfer offensive tackle Naquil Betrand.

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