Alabama 5-Star With UNC Connections Enters the Portal

He has a very close connection to UNC.

Alabama safety Caleb Downs is entering the transfer portal. The former top-10 player in the 2023 class was elite for ‘Bama and started as a true freshman. The Crimson Tide are undergoing a mass exodus after legendary head coach Nick Saban made the decision to retire last week.

Downs Freshman Season

Starting at Alabama is tough, but starting as a true freshman is nearly impossible. Downs did it, and impressed. He had 107 tackles, 70 of which were solo, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and three pass deflections. Downs also returned four punts for 87 yards and a touchdown. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-SEC.

Carolina Connection

Caleb Downs brother, Josh, was a superstar for the Tar Heels. Playing wide receiver, he was Drake Maye and Sam Howell’s number-one target for multiple seasons. In three years, Josh tallied 202 catches for 2,483 yards and 22 touchdowns while in Chapel Hill. He is now a member of the Indianapolis Colts and broke the rookie franchise record for receptions in a season.

Prospect Profile

Out of high school, Downs was a 5-star, ranked the #8 player and #1 safety in his class. He had offers from just about everyone in the country. Now, he is listed as the top transfer on the market.

Could his UNC connection bring Downs to Chapel Hill?

Thank you for reading CarolinaHQ. Please follow us on Twitter at @TheCarolinaHQ and our Facebook group for the latest news and stories about the Tar Heels. For feedback, questions, concerns or to apply for a writing position, please email us at thecarolinahq@gmail.com or direct message us on Twitter at @TheCarolinaHQ. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the fastest-growing North Carolina sports sites. We cover all sports and would love to have you read and be interested in our content!