Reports: Georgia target Caleb Downs will transfer to Ohio State

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates as he walks off of the field after Alabama’s 27-24 win against Georgia during the SEC Championship football game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2023. Downs has entered the transfer portal and is reportedly transferring to Ohio State. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Downs was the state of Georgia's top prospect after playing at Mill Creek High School. He played his first season of college football at Alabama in 2023. AJC file photo

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Caleb Downs (2) tackles Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dominic Lovett (6) during the first half of the SEC Championship football game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, on Saturday, December 2, 2023. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Mill Creek defensive back Caleb Downs (2) tackles Carrollton wide receiver Seth Childers (15) during the first half in the GHSA Class 7A finals, at Center Parc Stadium, Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Atlanta. Mill Creek won 70-35. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Caleb Downs (2) makes a fair catch on a punt by Georgia during the first half of the SEC Championship football game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, on Saturday, December 2, 2023. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Mill Creek defensive back Caleb Downs (2) scores a receiving touchdown during the first half against Milton in their Class 7A semi-final at Lakewood Stadium, Friday, December 2, 2022, in Atlanta. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dominic Lovett (6) runs into Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Caleb Downs (2) during the first half of the SEC Championship football game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, on Saturday, December 2, 2023. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Mill Creek wide receiver Caleb Downs (2) runs against Carrollton defensive back Keshun Johnson (9) during the first half in the GHSA Class 7A finals, at Center Parc Stadium, Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) smiles in the huddle during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)

Mill Creek defensive back Caleb Downs is interviewed by a member of the media after Mill Creek’s 70-35 win against Carrollton in the GHSA Class 7A finals, at Center Parc Stadium, Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Alabama head coach Nick Saban talks with Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) as the team warms up before Alabama's A-Day NCAA college football scrimmage, Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Mill Creek defensive back Caleb Downs celebrates with head coach Josh Lovelady during the closing minutes of their 70-35 win against Carrollton in the GHSA Class 7A finals, at Center Parc Stadium, Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) and linebacker Chris Braswell (41) celebrate a fumble recovery during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)

Mill Creek defensive back Caleb Downs, left, and running back Cam Robinson celebrate during the closing minutes of their 70-35 win against Carrollton in the GHSA Class 7A finals, at Center Parc Stadium, Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) sets up for a play against Middle Tennessee during the first half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Mill Creek defensive back Caleb Downs celebrates with fans during the closing minutes of their 70-35 win against Carrollton in the GHSA Class 7A finals, at Center Parc Stadium, Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) is tackled by Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) as he carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mill Creek wide receiver Caleb Downs (2) runs against Carrollton linebacker Michael Braden (8) for a first down during the first half in the GHSA Class 7A finals, at Center Parc Stadium, Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Georgia running back Daijun Edwards (30) runs the ball against Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Mill Creek defensive back Caleb Downs is all smiles as he prepares for his team's Class 7A state semifinal matchup against Walton Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/jason.getz@ajc.com)

Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) runs back an interception against Mississippi State safety Marcus Banks (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Alabama won 40-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mill Creek's Caleb Downs (2) runs for a touchdown during the 2022 Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Saturday, August 20, 2022. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs, right, knocks away a pass intended for Mississippi State wide receiver Creed Whittemore during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mill Creek's Caleb Downs (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the 2022 Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Saturday, August 20, 2022. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) sets up for a play against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Caleb Downs takes the ball for Mill Creek against Buford. (Photo Jamie Spaar for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs (2) intercepts a pass intended for Mississippi State wide receiver Creed Whittemore (85) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Alabama won 40-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mill Creek wide receiver Caleb Downs (2) celebrates his touchdown run with offensive lineman Cooper Bothwell (70) during the first half against Carrollton in the GHSA Class 7A finals, at Center Parc Stadium, Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

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Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates as he walks off of the field after Alabama’s 27-24 win against Georgia during the SEC Championship football game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2023. Downs has entered the transfer portal and is reportedly transferring to Ohio State. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

By AJC Sports

Updated Jan 20, 2024

Georgia is 0-for-2 in recruiting Caleb Downs.

The former Alabama star safety will transfer to Ohio State, according to multiple reports, including one from ESPN. Downs’ father Gary confirmed the decision, according to 247sports.

Downs was the top-rated player in the state of Georgia for the 2023 recruiting cycle after leading Mill Creek High School to a state championship. He committed to Alabama over Ohio State and Georgia.

The AJC's complete coverage on the Bulldogs

He led Alabama in tackles with 107 in 2023 but announced he would leave the Crimson Tide after Nick Saban retired as head coach.

The 6-foot, 203-pound Downs also had two interceptions and four pass breakups. He was also a part-time punt returner too, returning one for an 85-yard touchdown.

Georgia recently hired one of Downs’ coaches from last season, Travaris Robinson, who was cornerbacks coach at Alabama.

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