The Ohio State football program has the top-ranked recruiting class so far for 2023, but there have been some recent swings and misses, with Alabama throwing the latest strike.
Though 5-star 2023 safety Caleb Downs seemed to be trending slightly to the Crimson Tide, there was still hope that Ohio State was still in the mix and would win the razor-thin race to have him become a part of B.I.A. In the end though, Downs announced his choice to commit to Alabama on Wednesday, taking arguably the most-prioritized target remaining in the class for the Buckeyes.
At 6-foot, 185-pounds, Downs is ranked as the No. 1 safety in the class and the 12th overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle. Out of Hoschton, Georgia, the battle had seemed to be between the Buckeyes, Tide, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Georgia. Many close to the situation believed it really to be a close call between OSU and ‘Bama however according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Commitment 7.27.22. @PlayersTribune @dj_BluMajik @I_Am_OD3 @ChadSimmons_ @ErikRichardsUSA #gdtbath #GONOLES #GoBucks #RollTide #GoDawgs #GoIrish #GoTigers #GoGators #BOOMERSOONERl #AllGasNoBrakes pic.twitter.com/oiwF0v0uNP
— Caleb Downs (@caleb_downs2) July 21, 2022
There are still some big fish out there, but this one stings with what Ohio State is trying to build in the secondary. Off to other things and the efforts to close out what will still be one of the top 2023 classes.
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