Caleb Downs is in a category of two former Alabama defensive backs from their freshman seasons.
Crimson Tide fans noticed something different early on with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Surtain II.
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Neither conducted themselves like average freshmen on and off the field. They brought a professional mindset to Nick Saban, his coaching staff, and their teammates. It led to them playing early and having an immediate impact. Fitzpatrick recorded two interceptions for touchdowns in 2015, helping the Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship as a freshman.
Surtain was a lockdown cornerback in 2018, assisting Alabama to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff berth as a freshman. Downs, a five-star from Georgia, possesses elite traits. He carries the size, mentality, coverage skills, instincts, tackling skills, and maturity that helped the Tide’s secondary look strong through five games.
Downs is a two-time SEC Freshman of the Week and Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week. He leads Alabama’s defense for total tackles (40) and has a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and an interception. Downs collected his first career takeaway in the Crimson Tide’s 40-17 victory over Mississippi State. He finished with 13 tackles — assisting Alabama in allowing 107 passing yards from Bulldogs’ quarterback, Will Rogers. He is different from Fitzpatrick and Surtain, but what makes Downs different?
Nick Saban explained Monday in his press conference.
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“I think Caleb was a good player to start with,” Saban said.
“One of the things that freshman especially … they kind of get the defense, they learn what they are supposed to do, and then you get into game plans where you have to tweak those things … that is where the experience comes into play. Then, you can put yourself in the right position more often. He has played well for us. He’s bright, he’s smart, he’s very instinctive as a football player. He works hard to prepare and is conscientious about making sure he knows what he’s supposed to do. I think him being a good player and a conscientious person, a combination of those two, has enhanced his development and improvement.”
Coach Saban raved about Downs in the spring, so it’s no surprise to see the praise continue.
He has an opportunity to be a Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American selection. Fitzpatrick obtained both in 2015 while Surtain made the Freshman All-SEC Team in 2018. Fitzpatrick exploded onto the scene with two pick-sixes versus Texas A&M at Kyle Field in a 41-23 victory for Alabama over the Aggies in 2015. Downs could have a moment like that this week for the Tide.
His mindset has made him an exceptional player early in his collegiate career.
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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.
