Caleb Downs was one of the most sought-after recruits in the 2023 recruiting class.

The Georgia native ultimately decided to join legendary coach Nick Saban at Alabama. Downs made an immediate impact as a true freshman, collecting 107 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions in 2023.

Then, Saban announced his retirement after the 2023 season, and Downs transferred to Ohio State. Now, Downs is a key contributor on an Ohio State team set to play for a title on Monday night.

On Saturday, Downs was asked to reflect on Saban’s retirement and his decision to leave Tuscaloosa. The star defender said that Saban’s retirement came as a “huge shock.”

“That came as a huge shock to me,” explained Caleb Downs. “I didn’t see it coming at all, and even when he said it, I was still like, did this really just happen, because that was one of the main reasons I went there to Alabama. And it was a really difficult time for me.”

Downs wasn’t the only player to have a difficult time with Saban leaving. Forty total players entered the portal last offseason, with many of those doing so after Saban’s announcement. However, Downs also acknowledged that he gave it “every opportunity” to stay at Alabama under new head coach Kalen DeBoer.

“No. I didn’t know right away that I was going to hit the portal. I tried to give every opportunity to stay,” Downs explained. “I stayed for like an extra like six days, five days, just to feel out the new coaching staff, see who they were going to hire and see if I could stay, because at that time I didn’t really want to leave, and I wanted to stick to my choice that I made in high school to stay there. And it didn’t turn out that way.”

Downs didn’t elaborate on why he decided to leave, but Saban’s departure clearly affected the young star.

In his first season with the Buckeyes, Downs has collected 77 tackles, 8 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, and 2 INTs.