Ohio State landed a coup in the transfer portal when it picked up a commitment from Alabama safety Caleb Downs.
A former five-star recruit, Downs led the Crimson Tide in tackles as a true freshman last season with 107. He’ll be counted on to be a playmaker for the Buckeyes on defense this fall, but that might not be all head coach Ryan Day has in store for him.
Day confirmed Tuesday that Downs has been sitting in on Ohio State’s running back meetings in case he’s needed on that side of the ball down the road. Downs played both ways in high school and rushed for 648 yards and 27 touchdowns in his career at Mill Creek in Georgia.
While Downs may have the talent to play both ways if asked, fans and media are debating whether or not it’s a wise move.
“Somebody tell that man to come back to Bama… Ohio State is unserious,” one ‘Bama fan said.
“He’s gonna have to work hard to pay off that big NIL $$$$ commitment,” another Alabama fan added.
“Best backfield in the country and you want your All American safety taking snaps back there? Day better win this Natty is all I’ma say…”a third ‘Bama fan chimed in.
“Caleb Downs could easily be the best player in college football next season,” said On3’s Grant Grubbs.
“This is unserious stuff from Ryan Day,” Grubbs’ colleague Griffin McVeigh countered.
“Ohio state lit,” an LSU fan added.
Ohio State already has TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins as its 1-2 punch at running back, with heralded freshmen James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon behind them.
It’s likely that the Buckeyes won’t ever need Downs to carry the ball, but we can’t deny that it wouldn’t be fun to see what he’d do with it if asked.