How much Alabama transfer DB Caleb Downs is expected to receive in NIL money after entering portal

For now, Georgia and Ohio State are considered the top candidates to land the former five-star recruit. 

Downs is viewed a future NFL star and he has two years of eligibility remaining. And that means that he's almost certainly going to receive a very lucrative NIL deal. 

How much could that deal be worth? 

A Power-5 director of player personnel told 247Sports on Wednesday that Downs will get "Top QB money". 

"He'll get top-QB money. He's a true million-plus guy. Well worth the two more years you get of him," said the anonymous director of player personnel to 247Sports. 

Tennessee Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava reportedly received an $8 million NIL deal in early 2022 before committing to UT. Two years later and the price for top quarterbacks has only increased. (Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was reportedly looking for a $4 million NIL deal to return to UGA in 2024. Beck is returning to Athens, but the amount of his NIL deal hasn't been confirmed.)

Something in the $2 million to $4 million range for Downs seems plausible. He's a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball. And he's a player that any potential playoff team should want on their roster.