Alabama football makes recruiting statement over Georgia, Ohio State

Alabama football landed a huge commitment on Wednesday, beating out Georgia and Ohio State for five-star safety Caleb Downs.

Georgia may be the reigning national champions but Alabama and Nick Saban aren’t going to go quietly into that good night and let them keep that title without a fight.

The battle between rivals takes place on the recruiting trail as on the field each season.

That’s why Alabama celebrated a big win on Wednesday with the commitment of five-star safety Caleb Downs.

Caleb Downs committed to Alabama football over Georgia, Ohio State

The Crimson Tide poached Downs out of Hoschton, Georgia where he attends Mill Creek High School.

The safety ranks No. 12 in the 247Sports composite, sitting No. 1 in his position and state rankings.

Downs comes from a strong pedigree. His father, Gary, played running back for the Giants, Broncos and Falcons. His uncle, Dre Bly, was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Lions and Super Bowl champion with the Rams. His brother, Josh, is an All-ACC first-team wide receiver at North Carolina.

Football runs in Downs’ blood, so it’s no surprise he was praised by 247Sports analyst Andrew Ivins for “check[ing] all the right boxes.” He “owns a high football IQ” and is “viewed by his high school coaches as not only a team leader, but also a winner.”

In 2021, the 6-foot, 185-pound safety had 77 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, 11 pass breakups, a forced fumble and five interceptions.

Downs is the top prospect in Alabama’s class of 2023 and their third commit in the Top 25 national prospects.

Getting him is a big deal. Keeping him away from College Football Playoff contenders like Georgia and Ohio State is a major plus as well.

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