Caleb Downs talks ‘huge surprise’ of Nick Saban’s retirement, explains what Alabama coach taught him
Former Alabama safety Caleb Downs spoke to reporters Tuesday for the first time since transferring to Ohio State.
Former Alabama safety Caleb Downs spoke to reporters for the first time Tuesday since entering the transfer portal and transferring to Ohio State earlier this month.
Downs, the national freshman of the year in 2023, called Nick Saban’s retirement a “huge surprise” on Jan. 10.
“Him saying that, my heart dropped for sure,” Downs said of the late afternoon team meeting that day. “At the end of the day, if that’s what he felt was best for him, I love him for it and that’s what he needed to do.”
Asked what his one season playing for Saban taught him, Downs responded, “Very disciplined person. He was committed every single day to being his best self. Not many people can actually say that, and be truthful with that. He was the same person every single day. He taught me a lot about commitment, about being disciplined, consistency — everything that goes with that. Being great, that’s what he embodies.”
A week after Saban’s decision, Downs entered the NCAA transfer portal.
“I just felt like it was the best decision for me,” Downs said Tuesday. “At the end of the day, everybody’s got to do what they needed to for themselves, and I think that’s evident.”
Downs said he received about 102 phone calls in the first seven or eight hours after entering the portal.
“[It was] recruiting on steroids,” he said.
Despite initial expectations he would transfer to Georgia in his home state, Downs picked Ohio State two days later.
“I just love the program here,” Downs said. “I love [secondary] Coach [Tim] Walton and love what the people had to say around here. I believe in Coach Day and I believe in this team.”
Downs’ father Gary and Walton are “very close,” Caleb said, after having grown up together in Columbus, Georgia.
Caleb Downs was also asked about the impact of NIL on his decision to pick Ohio State.
“At the end of the day, I love playing football,” he responded. “That’s what I’m here to do. I’m not here to make money or do anything like that. I know there’s a lot of opportunities here, in terms of the city of Columbus, but at the end of the day, I’m here to help this team win football games and do my best, and try to develop.”
