Alabama’s defense has yet to turn in a full marquee performance, but its second-half adjustments have been great.
The Crimson Tide looks to run the table to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance in the final year of the four-team playoff. One of the playmakers behind the Tide’s success is a freshman.
RELATED: Alabama freshman DB Caleb Downs has ‘lots of maturity,’ per Nick Saban
Caleb Downs, a native Georgian, arrived as a five-star at the University of Alabama.
He impressed the coaching staff, his teammates, and Tide fans during spring practice as an early enrollee. The 6-foot, 203-pounder earned the starting job at strong safety in fall camp and has played well through six games. Downs is a two-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree and a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week honoree. He leads the team for total tackles (47), including 25 solo stops. Downs has a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and a team-high two interceptions.
Both of his takeaways came in key moments. Downs picked off Aggies’ quarterback Max Johnson last week, allowing Alabama’s offense to tie the game at 17. According to Pro Football Focus, it shared a stat that highlights Downs as the best true freshman in college football.
Caleb Downs is ELITE🔒 pic.twitter.com/VFVLk0sfKp
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 13, 2023
He grades out at 84.2 on a minimum of 200 snaps.
RELATED: Caleb Downs is a solidified superstar freshman for Alabama
The Tide has been at its best when a freshman plays exceptionally well. Downs is the next significant superstar freshman.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
