By Tony Thomas
The transfer portal is a firestorm of activity, with the coaching carousel on a perpetual spin cycle, from the Nick Saban calling it a career, to Kalen DeBoer taking over in Title Town, and Jedd Fisch moving on to Washington, and…you get the picture.
As a result, players from Alabama, Washington, and Arizona, along with hundreds from across college football have decided it is best that they transfer to a lush green gridiron paradise elsewhere. So, here is the latest transfer portal news.
DB Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes (from Alabama)
6’0”, 203 lbs.
As a true freshman in 2023, Caleb Downs led the Crimson Tide in tackles with 107. In addition, Downs picked off two passes, broke up four passes, forced a fumble, and recorded 3.5 tackles for loss.
Welcome To The Buckeyes Caleb Downs!!!
#1 Player In The Transfer Portal 5⭐️ Star Safety Commits To OHIO STATE!!
In His True Freshman Year At Alabama He Led The Team pic.twitter.com/5W3wVUcapZ— Camjnetwork (@camjnetwork) January 20, 2024
Downs recorded three games with double digit tackles. Against Mississippi State, Downs racked up 13 tackles and intercepted a pass. The awards and accolades for Downs were numerous, including:
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· 2nd Team AP All-American
· 1st Team All-American, by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)
· National Freshman of the Year
· SEC Freshman of the Year
· 1st Team All-SEC
Downs is the latest high-profile transfer to the Buckeyes program, as he joins RB Quinshon Judkins (from Ole Miss) and QB Will Howard (from Kansas State).
LB Ethan Barr
UCF Knights (flipped from Washington/Vanderbilt)
6’3”, 245 lbs.
As the 4th leading tackler for the Vanderbilt Commodores last season, Ethan Barr recorded 55 tackles. In addition, Barr posted three tackles for loss, one sack, broke up one pass, and forced a fumble. Barr racked up five or more tackles in six games last season. He has 219 career tackles to his credit.
Washington transfer LB Ethan Barr committed to UCF @mfarrellsports https://t.co/RiaqnSYBGw
— FarrellPortal (@farrellportal) January 19, 2024
Barr entered the transfer portal, and committed to the Washington Huskies. After Kalen DeBoer left to take the Alabama job, Barr flipped his commitment to Gus Malzahn and UCF.
DB Trey Amos
Ole Miss Rebels (from Alabama)
6’1”, 197 lbs.
A Louisiana native, Trey Amos played three years for the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns, recording 59 tackles and 13 pass break ups. In 2023 with Alabama, Amos made 12 tackles and broke up five passes for the Crimson Tide.
Wahnnn we ALL IN FASHO!🦈 #Chillllllllll pic.twitter.com/Nun7Nz9BRp
— Trenayvian❄️ (@TreyAmos21) January 20, 2024
A ball hawk, Amos now has 18 pass breakups and 71 tackles for his career. Amos is yet another example of the mastery of the transfer portal displayed by Lane Kiffin and the Portal Kings of Oxford.
TE Amari Niblack
Texas Longhorns (from Alabama)
6’4”, 233 lbs.
As the 3rd leading receiver for the Crimson Tide in 2023, Amari Niblack caught 20 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns., averaging 16 yards per catch. Niblack posted four games with 20 yards or more per catch, and will provide a talented target for the Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.
S Brandon Turnage
Ole Miss Rebels (from Tennessee)
6’1”, 186 lbs.
Ole Miss continues its domination of the transfer portal. Brandon Turnage is coming home after playing three years at Tennessee, and one at Alabama.
A Mississippi native, Turnage and has 48 career tackles to his credit. As a fifth-year senior, Turnage brings experience to the Rebels secondary, having played in 31 games for the Vols.
