It’s been a chaotic year for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. As the sophomore sat in a locker room folding chair in the depths of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, celebrating a national championship with his teammates, he thought about the journey.

When 2024 began, his future seemed obvious. The former Alabama football star freshman would continue in Tuscaloosa, before moving on to the NFL.

Then, Nick Saban retired. Downs had to find a new home, settled on the Buckeyes, then went on a run to Monday’s 34-23 title game win over Notre Dame.

“It’s been a written story from the man above,” Downs said. “The creator. The author of the world. He made this happen and I can’t think about it any other way.”

Saban was in attendance for Monday’s game, as part of ESPN’s College Gameday cast. He also helped hand out a charity check during a TV timeout.

But on the Ohio State sideline, a different sort of personality was winning a championship. After the win, Downs was asked about the difference between Saban and Buckeye coach Ryan Day.

“They’re their own people,” Downs said. “Coach Saban was a more stoic person. Coach Day has a different type of relationship with players. I respect him for that. You gotta run your organization with who you are. I respect him for running it his own way.”

Even better for Downs, he got to win in his home state. The Buford, Ga. native said the national title win made him 5-0 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dating back to high school and including Alabmaa’s 2023 SEC championship victory over Geogia.

He finished Monday’s win with five total tackles.

“It’s a blessing,” Downs said. “I can’t even describe it. It’s an unreal feeling for me just to come back home. To see my home, my family here, grandparents. And then I saw two of my elementary school teachers here today, like, I can’t describe it.”