The Georgia Bulldogs were the final team on the outside looking in on the College Football Playoff. Despite the fact that the field will extend to 12 clubs next season, they will undoubtedly want to avoid repeating the experience. The only way to prevent this destiny is to expand their roster. Kirby Smart’s Georgia football program has a strong recruiting class and has brought in high-profile transfers, like former Florida running back Trevor Etienne.
However, with the recent frenzy of college football coaching turnover, another wave of athletes is hitting the portal, perhaps giving the Bulldogs another shot at landing blue-chip talents. The Bulldogs’ roster is already full, thus some of these available players may not even make it into Georgia’s starting lineup. However, a few available players can, and they are the players Georgia should target.
If there is anyone the Georgia Bulldogs and Kirby Smart should target, it is Alabama freshman safety Caleb Downs. Last season, Downs did it all for Alabama, even as a true freshman. Downs has more solo tackles (70) than anyone else on the Alabama roster.
Throughout the season, Downs caused and recovered a fumble, as well as intercepting two passes. That ranked second on the Tide in 2023, trailing only Terrion Arnold, who made five picks. He even returned a punt for a touchdown during the 2023 season.
Downs is a potential difference-maker who might thrive under Kirby Smart’s defense and guidance. Smart’s defenses have consistently been among the best in the country since his arrival in Georgia, and he has had a large number of players picked highly in the NFL from all levels of his defenses. Downs may now receive the greatest coaching available, as Nick Saban, the coach who attracted him to Alabama, is no longer in Tuscaloosa.
The icing on the cake: Downs’ hometown of Hoschton, Georgia, is less than an hour from Athens, Georgia, where the Bulldogs play. Everyone enjoys playing near to home, and Downs is probably no exception. The fit here is simply great. After failing to recruit Downs from high school, Kirby Smart must find a method to bring him into his Georgia program. He’s got another shot now. Delivering on this opportunity would be huge for his program.
Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Lineman
