Alabama Transfer Caleb Downs Sheds Black Stripe After Six Ohio State Practices

After Ohio State's sixth spring practice on Tuesday, the second-year Alabama transfer shed his black stripe with the Buckeyes. He becomes the third Ohio State player to participate in the program's rite of passage in 2024, along with freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and redshirt freshman walk-on Brennen Schramm.

BIA is adding the former Freshman All-American to the room, welcome to THE brotherhood @caleb_downs2 pic.twitter.com/4za77zF39e

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) March 26, 2024

While Downs shed his black stripe this week, the 6-foot, 205-pound safety has received praise from Ohio State head coach Ryan Day ever since the Buckeyes landed the No. 1 overall transfer prospect in 2024.

“His talent is exceptional. But he’s already created an unbelievable amount of discipline in his life,” Day said on Feb. 7. “He’s created the skills to play the safety position at a high level.”

Downs collected 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery at Alabama last season. His performances in practices and games made an impression on some of his more experienced Crimson Tide teammates, including NFL draft hopeful Jaylen Key, who called Downs “generational” and a “future top-five pick in a couple of years.”

Former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin, who transferred to Ohio State this offseason, was also impressed with Downs from the moment he arrived in Tuscaloosa.

“I’ve been watching Caleb for a year now at Alabama and he was very, very impressive,” McLaughlin said. “He walked in and he acted like a third-year starter. He was a veteran. That’s very rare from a freshman. He’s one of the most impressive freshmen I’ve seen come through Alabama.”

Downs will now enter his sophomore at Ohio State, where he will be one of the top weapons in a defense that also includes Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams, Ty Hamilton, Cody Simon, Sonny Styles, Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock and Lathan Ransom.

Before Downs' arrival, Ohio State ranked in the top 10 nationally is pass defense, scoring defense and total defense. With a second-team All-American and Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year added to the fold, the Buckeyes expect to take a step forward in all of those categories this fall.