Alabama fans should at least see one true freshman potentially start on the Crimson Tide’s defense.
Caleb Downs has been an impressive specimen since he arrived for spring practice. A five-star defensive back from Georgia, Downs was impressive to the coaching staff, his teammates, and the Alabama fans. Nick Saban loves his maturity and spoke on what he adds to an already loaded secondary. The 6-foot, 203-pounder has been one of the starting safeties in fall practice, according to close sources reporting to Touchdown Alabama Magazine. Downs excelled in spring ball, but it has been his communication, instincts, physicality, and attention to detail that has him performing well in preseason camp.
RELATED: Caleb Downs will be Alabama’s defensive freshman impact player for 2023
Everyone on defense sees him as a playmaker; however, Terrion Arnold recalls a specific memory of Downs.
“We were in Cover 2 on day three of practice,” Arnold said.
“They throw a 50/50 ball, and he makes a crazy play. He made a great play.”
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Arnold did not say if the final result was an interception or a pass breakup, but how he described it puts Tide fans in the mode of an interception. Downs caught Arnold’s and everyone else’s attention with his play in practice. We have seen freshman defensive backs be special for the Tide, including Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Surtain II. The team knows Downs may just be next.
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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.
