Former Alabama freshman safety Caleb Towns is transferring to Ohio State, a source told ESPN Friday night.

Downs led the Crimson Tide in total tackles this season with 107 and became the first true freshman in program history to do so. He was a five-star prospect in the 2023 class, taken 11th overall, and was the No. 1 safety out of Houston, Georgia.

Towns entered the transfer portal on Jan. 17, and many believed he would end up at Georgia. His previous defensive backs coach, Travaris Robinson, joined the Georgia staff, and despite new Alabama coach Cullen DeBoer trying to get Robinson back on the Crimson Tide staff, Robinson stayed with the Dawgs.

Downs considered Ohio State during his recruitment, but the Buckeyes were considered second to Alabama at the time.

Ohio State coaches took another chance to recruit Downs, and after an in-home visit from Downs and his family, he is now transferring to Ohio State.

He has three years of eligibility remaining and will immediately contribute to a Buckeyes defense that improved greatly in his second year under coordinator Jim Knowles.

Downs adds to an already extensive list of impact transfers coming to the Buckeyes, along with Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, Ole Miss running back Quinshawn Judkins and Alabama center Seth McLaughlin.