We're only a few years into it now, but Caleb Downs easily stands as the most valuable non-quarterback to yet to enter the transfer portal. Wide receiver Jordan Addison, who controversially left Pitt for USC after winning the Biletnikoff Award, previously held that title, but Downs earns the nod because he still has two years left to play.
The No. 6 player and No. 1 safety in the class of 2023, Downs exceeded the tremendous hype. Playing more snaps than any player on Alabama's defense, his 107 tackles were the most by a Crimson Tide freshman in more than half a century. Downs was an FWAA Freshman All-American, a Second Team All-American by multiple publications, and even did enough in one season to become the only active player to earn a spot on one noted expert's All-Saban team.
When Downs hit the portal on the morning of Jan. 17, he said he received 102 calls within the next 7-8 hours. "Recruiting on steroids, I would say."
The point of diminishing returns likely hit by call, oh, three or four.
"Pretty much, you have to go silent. You have to control your circle in terms of getting opinions from people you trust and people that you know you can count on. That was the biggest thing -- to understand what the people around me were thinking and how I wanted to go about it," he said.
Industry consensus widely expected him to pick Georgia upon entering. Not only is Downs from a town a mere 45 minutes from Athens, his position coach, Travaris Robinson, left Alabama for Georgia. A Georgia recruiting writer happened to break the news of Downs' transfer, typically a tell-tale sign of a player's next destination.
Two days later, Downs stunned the world by picking Ohio State.
"I just love the program here," he said. "I love Coach Walton and love what the people had to say around here. I believe in Coach Day and I believe in this team."