Former Alabama safety Caleb Downs, one of the hottest prospects in the transfer portal, is heading to the Big Ten. Downs is committing to Ohio State, according to multiple reports, first coming from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Downs was a five-star prospect for the Crimson Tide last season and he delivered. He jumped into Alabama’s starting safety spot immediately and didn’t give it up.

He led Alabama in tackles with 107 in 2023. He won the Shaun Alexander Award, which goes to the top freshman in college football.

Downs earned high praise from former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

“Caleb has played really well for us,” Saban said in October. “He’s very mature. The guy really pays attention to detail and does a really good job in preparation. Wants to know what he’s supposed to do. How he’s supposed to do it. Why it’s important to do it that way. He’s got great football instincts and savvy, so he kind of understands what the other team’s trying to do, which I think is important as well. So he’s done a good job of that.”

Downs was one of several Alabama players to enter the transfer portal after Saban retired. The coaching change triggered a 30-day window for Crimson Tide players to enter.

He’ll join an Ohio State team that remains one of the top programs in college football, but has suffered losses recently to bitter rival Michigan, which went on to win the 2023 national championship, beating Alabama in the process. The Buckeyes finished the year in the Cotton Bowl, where they lost to Missouri.