Thanks in large part to recent coaching changes, the Ohio State Buckeyes are hitting the recruiting trail hard with so many talented players entering the portal.

Most recently, former five-star safety Caleb Downs joined the Buckeyes and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, strengthening their unit. He decided on Friday, as ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports.

After the renowned Nick Saban retired, Downs was one of many gifted athletes on the SEC champion Alabama Crimson Tide roster to join the portal. Downs participated in 14 games during his first season with the team, recording 107 total tackles, 3.5 TFLs, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, in addition to 2 interceptions.

Source: Ohio State has received Caleb Downs’ commitment. This season, the former Alabama safety led the Tide in tackles.

According to rankings, Downs is the best player from Georgia and the sixth-best player overall in the 2023 recruiting class. In the transfer portal, he was ranked as the top player as well. Many thought he would go to Georgia, but he decided to enroll at Ohio State.

Julian Sayin, the top quarterback available in the 2024 recruiting class, is also expected to end up at Ohio State. It’s safe to assume that the Ohio State Buckeyes are doing quite well right now in the portal. Considering that 19 players have left the portal, they still have a lot of work ahead of them. Sixteen of the 19 are still free to go, including wide receiver Bryson Rodgers. Three already have admissions to other institutions.