The No. 1 player in the transfer portal is on his way to Columbus.
Caleb Downs, who had 107 tackles as a freshman for Alabama this past season, is heading to Ohio State to join a defense that already returns nine starters from a group that finished No. 2 nationally in scoring and No. 3 in total defense.
Source: Caleb Downs is committing to Ohio State. The former Alabama safety led the Tide in tackles this season. pic.twitter.com/zCKNczi65W
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 20, 2024
Needless to say, the addition elicited a number of exuberant reactions from pundits, fans and Ohio State coaches and players on the Twittersphere (Xsphere?). Not the least of which came from the Buckeyes' own football account:
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 20, 2024
Ohio State general manager Mark Pantoni made it clear that the Buckeyes' run through the transfer portal has been part of an all-in push.
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) January 20, 2024
He was far from the only Ohio State coach/staffer to have a celebratory reaction to the news of Downs' addition.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/iNPfmo8CPA
— James Laurinaitis (@JLaurinaitis55) January 20, 2024
Coverage and Rush Working together !!!#Rushmenforever https://t.co/hUyEjn65ls
— Larry A. Johnson (@R2X_Rushmen1) January 20, 2024
BM #BIA
— Matt Guerrieri (@MattGuerrieri) January 20, 2024
BIA BM
— Devin Jordan (@CoachJordan82) January 20, 2024
— Gerren DuHart (@CoachDuHart) January 20, 2024
— Sam McGrath (@CoachMcGrath22) January 20, 2024
Include outgoing Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith in that conversation as well, who also made sure to congratulate the women's hockey, women's tennis and wrestling teams on their own big days.
Great Friday to be a Buckeye @OhioStateMVB takes down No. 1@OhioStateWTEN with a big road win@OhioStateWHKY gets the W @wrestlingbucks 38-4 top 25 win
— Gene Smith (@OSU_AD) January 20, 2024
And of course major @OhioStateFB recruit.
Congrats Coaches! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/1Fmb7VWMfz
Ohio State's players were more than happy to welcome their new teammate to the fold as well.
BIA
— Jordan Hancock (@jordanhancock_) January 20, 2024
— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) January 20, 2024
Welcome https://t.co/POdMLOIPOy
— Carnell Tate (@carnelltate_) January 20, 2024
oh yah we up. https://t.co/hFBl0ahy8v
— Bryson Rodgers (@IBryson13) January 20, 2024
What he said pic.twitter.com/VRvIYu8bvT
— Jermaine Mathews Jr (@Jr2Maine) January 20, 2024
That excitement extended to some incoming recruits, as No. 1 overall prospect Jeremiah Smith joined four-star offensive tackle Deontae Armstrong among others in voicing their support.
— Deontae Armstrong (@DeonArmstrong30) January 20, 2024
— (@Jermiah_Smith1) January 20, 2024
Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, who has been highly critical of Ryan Day in the past but has started to change his tune after the cavalcade of good news the past few weeks, feels it's national title or bust for the Buckeyes.
Yeah Boy Ryan Day gearing up for November. He started leaning on those collectives for that bread. Keep pushing your weight around RD. Go ahead win it all and get your contract extension. We see what you doing. We aint trying to hear none of those Mike McCarthy post game pic.twitter.com/DPJiwH0wNo
— Maurice Clarett (@ReeseClarett13) January 20, 2024
He's not the only former player excited by the latest development in Ohio State's offseason saga.
Small world his mom taught us in high school ! We still #DBU dont act like yall forgot ! Lets goo Caleb ! https://t.co/GBUtdZCktD
— Bradley Roby (@BradRoby_1) January 20, 2024
Caleb downs! You made my night dawg. #GoBucks
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) January 20, 2024
THE Ohio State. Welcome @caleb_downs2 #GoBucks https://t.co/oHG7ZBj3xO
— Troy Smith (@yn_TroySmith) January 20, 2024
Buckle up. About to be one hell of a ride.
— Zach Boren (@ZBoren44) January 20, 2024
tOSU and UF cookin today love to see it !
— Teradja Mitchell (@teeraaw__) January 20, 2024
Plenty of major media personalities are talking up Downs' commitment as well. Not least among them is another former Buckeye in Kirk Herbstreit.
Wow!!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) January 20, 2024
Caleb is super talented but what really stands out is his maturity and intelligence for such a young player. Walked in as a true Fr last year and looked like hed been there for years.
Huge get for the Buckeyes. https://t.co/Rqh1B4L9bv
Ohio State pic.twitter.com/RIBtuGqdr8
— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) January 20, 2024
The No. 1 player in the @RivalsPortal Caleb Downs is headed to Ohio State according to multiple reports.
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) January 20, 2024
Cannot be stated how big of a win this is for Ryan Day and staff. Downs led Alabama in tackles as a freshman.@Birm
And in case fans were wondering who to give a pile of credit to for this pledge, Pantoni also made sure to give the leading man his due.
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) January 20, 2024
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 20, 2024
