Ex-Alabama football safety Caleb Downs will be one of the most important players on the field in Monday’s national championship game. Now a centerpiece of the Ohio State defense, he and the Buckeyes are favored by more than a touchdown against Notre Dame.

Fighting Irish quarterback and Alabama native Riley Leonard spoke of the challenge Downs presents.

“He’s one of the fastest players I’ve played around all year, that I’ll have played against this year and very instinctive,” Leonard said Saturday in Atlanta. “He sees the game really well. He’s been around the ball for a long time and obviously has family members that have played. So he gets it. He’s a good player. He’s got great instincts.”

Downs joined Alabama as a five-star freshman and immediately became a star in 2023. He earned second-team All-SEC honors and was named the league’s newcomer of the year.

Then, Nick Saban retired. Downs entered the transfer portal several days after Kalen DeBoer’s hire and found his way to Ohio State, where he has continued at the same trajectory.

Entering the title game, Downs has made 76 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, with two sacks and two interceptions. He was a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten’s defensive back of the year.

“My interview with Caleb Downs was harder than any interview I ever did for a job,” OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said Saturday. “I mean, he wanted to know every detail of the defense. So, when he arrived, I fully expected him to operate the way he has, like a real professional.”

The sophomore hasn’t been locked into a traditional safety role this year. He’s often moved up to play more as a hybrid linebacker.

Downs said he’s enjoyed the opportunity to be closer to the line.

“I did play linebacker in little league,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it reminds me of that. I would just say it allows me to roam and allows me to make plays in the back end and in the box, and I’m really thankful that (Knowles) puts me in that position.”

For the Notre Dame offense, Downs presents a terrifying wrinkle. The underdog Irish will need to take advantage of every opportunity for a chance to win Monday, and the Georgia native and his teammates don’t present many of them.

ND offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock described the challenge.

“You have to make some decisions about how you’re going to treat it,” Denbrock said. “Is he a linebacker? Is he a safety? Is he something in between? It’s a unique scheme you don’t see a lot. I’d call it kind of a little bit of a nest look, where they’ve kind of got him perched up there waiting to pounce, whether you run it or pass it. He’s in a position to affect the game on either side of the field.

“Another brilliant scheme by coach Knowles and their defensive staff, and it’s hard to deal with.”

Ohio State and Notre Dame are scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT Monday in Atlanta. The game will be aired on ESPN.