Caleb Downs Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Former Alabama Crimson Tide superstar safety Caleb Downs became the biggest and most prominent name in the NCAA transfer portal this offseason when he decided to leave the Crimson Tide before ultimately signing with the Ohio State Buckeyes. And in a recent interview session, he explained his decision to leave Alabama.

Caleb Downs had a prolific first season with Alabama where he not only earned a starting role as just a true freshman but also emerged as one of the top safeties in the entire country. But when legendary Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban decided to retire, that led Downs to decide to transfer.

Downs got brutally honest about how he felt when Saban announced his retirement, saying “my heart dropped.”

“It was a huge surprise walking into that meeting and him saying that. My heart dropped, for sure,” Downs said according to Eleven Warriors. “But at the end of the day, if that’s what he felt was best for him, I love him for it and that’s what he needed to do.”

With Saban retiring from Alabama, Downs said the decision to leave Alabama “felt like it was the best decision for me.”

It will certainly be interesting to see how the decision to leave Alabama and join the Buckeyes this season ultimately works out for Downs.

[Eleven Warriors]