All-World DB Caleb Downs Commits to Ohio State, LB Ethan Barr Flips from UW to UCF, and More Portal News

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:

· 2^nd Team AP All-American

· 1^st Team All-American, by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)

· National Freshman of the Year

· SEC Freshman of the Year

· 1^st 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 4^th 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. 

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. 

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 3^rd 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.