Caleb Downs, nation's No. 1 safety, sets commitment date; Alabama, Ohio State among top contenders
Eight of the top 12 prospects in the class of 2023 are already off the board.
And a ninth will soon follow.
On Thursday, Mill Creek High School (Georgia) five-star prospect Caleb Downs, the nation's No. 1 safety, announced a July 27 commitment date.
The 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back didn't officially announce finalists, but his tweet regarding his commitment included hashtags for Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma:
Downs took June official visits to Georgia, Notre Dame, Alabama and Ohio State, but the Crimson Tide are believed to be the favorites over Georiga and Ohio State as his decision nears.
If, in fact, the Georgia product does choose Alabama, he'd be the highest-rated pledge in Nick Saban's 2023 recruiting class, eclipsing Florence High School (Alabama) cornerback Jahlil Hurley.
Regardless of who lands Downs, he projects as a college star and future NFL defensive back, according to 247Sports:
"The type of prospect that checks off all the right boxes. Always looks to be one step ahead of others. Athletic enough to get across the field and erase a touchdown, but also physical enough to come down hill and meet a running back in the A or B gap. Smooth and in control while in reverse as he keeps eyes in the backfield. Quick to trigger. Plants his cleats and drives towards the football better than most his age. Takes the right angles while in pursuit and has a few tricks to shed blocks once he meets traffic. Has experience working out of a variety of different coverages and has shown that he can be rather effective as slot defender in certain situations. Owns a high football IQ, which likely stems from his film study habits as he likes to watch cut up after cut up and identify trends. Viewed by his high school coaches as not only a team leader, but also a winner and someone that is going to do whatever it takes to elevate the play of those around him. Added almost 30 pounds of muscle between freshman and senior seasons and is now hovering right around 190 pounds. Will need to keep progressing and not get complacent, but should be viewed as one of the top safeties and overall prospects in the 2023 cycle given instincts, physical play style and ability to change directions. Will provide immediate special teams value at the next level and likely isn’t going to need much time to get adjusted to the speed of the game on Saturdays. Has the makeup of a future star for a College Football Playoff contender. Should play on Sundays like his father and uncle did if everything comes together."
Sophomore season highlights
