Caleb Downs entered the transfer portal after a stellar freshman season at Alabama and after Nick Saban unexpectedly decided to call it a career. Just a few short days later, Downs committed to, and enrolled at, Ohio State. But this is a new world of college athletics where players have the freedom to move on at any moment.
After former Alabama teammate, Kayden Proctor, transferred to Iowa and then a short time later transferred back to the Crimson Tide, many wondered if the same thing might happen with Downs. Speculation is always running wild and it didn’t help that Downs didn’t really comment on the subject. Was he pondering doing the same thing? Just the thought had Buckeye fans on edge.
However, Caleb Downs seems to have put all those rumors to bed. Recently, Downs was asked if Proctor returning to Tuscaloosa had him contemplating his future. His simple answer … “I’m here.” In so many words, Downs said he didn’t feel the need to address the issue because he was still practicing with the team and going about his business on the field and in the classroom.
You can see part of the interview below as Downs articulates his thoughts.
Caleb Downs on the rumors of him transferring back to Alabama after former teammate Kayden Proctor left Iowa earlier this spring.
"I'm here." pic.twitter.com/ap50qxIBqG
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) April 3, 2024
In other parts of the interview, Downs talks about his love for Columbus and the overall atmosphere. With the transfer portal always in the back of fans’ minds, hearing straight from the source that he is “here” certainly helps calm some anxieties.
Who can blame people for being a bit anxious in this ever-shifting landscape? For now, there looks to be no reason to worry and fans will be excited to see Downs in Scarlet and Gray next fall.
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