Ryan Day tells just how Ohio State was able to land the transfer portal prize of Caleb Downs from Alabama a year ago
Ohio State’s 2024 roster was a loaded one and it was thanks to retention from within for the most part. However, Ohio State was too heavy in the transfer portal and added multiple key contributors. None of them were bigger than former Alabama S Caleb Downs. Ohio State recruited Downs hard out of high school […]
Ohio State’s 2024 roster was a loaded one and it was thanks to retention from within for the most part. However, Ohio State was too heavy in the transfer portal and added multiple key contributors. None of them were bigger than former Alabama S Caleb Downs.
Ohio State recruited Downs hard out of high school but was unable to land him initially. After Nick Saban retired, Ohio State was able to add the top transfer on the market. Ryan Day recently appeared on The Podcast for an interview and shared how the Buckeyes added Downs.
“The other big one was Caleb and how that played out,” Day said. “When it all happened, it happened quickly. So myself, Tim Walton, Matt Guerreri, and Jim all got on a plane and we flew right down to Atlanta and met with Caleb and his family for I want to say four or five hours.
“They went through film, I mean Caleb was interviewing our guys. Now we had already gone through it a bunch before, but we knew this could be a huge deal for us. Back there with Lathan [Ransom], it was going to be a game changer.”
As a sophomore, Downs recorded 82 tackles, two interceptions, and a half-sack for the Buckeyes. Downs was named an All-American and is set to still have one more strong season in Columbus. Coming out of high school, Downs was the No. 1 safety and No. 7 overall player in the country, per 247 Sports Composite.
Downs was huge as the year went on for the Buckeyes and they allowed him to do more and more. During the College Football Playoff game against Texas, Downs had as good of a game as you’ll see a safety play with his ability to read and react.
Ohio State may not have landed Downs initially but they locked out and added him just ahead of a National Championship run. Folks in Columbus won’t complain one bit about how the way it worked out.
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