Report: Alabama's Downs, Proctor to enter transfer portal

Alabama safety Caleb Downs is starting the process of entering the transfer portal, a source told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Starting offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor is also expected to transfer after one season, sources told 247 Sports' Matt Zenitz.

Downs led the Crimson Tide with 107 tackles while posting 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions during his 2023 freshman season. He was named a first-team All-SEC member and received the conference's Freshman of the Year honor.

Proctor started all 13 games at left tackle after winning the job in fall camp and was named to the All-SEC freshman team. Downs and Proctor were five-star signees in the Crimson Tide's 2023 recruiting class, per the ESPN 300.

Georgia is among the schools expected to show interest in adding Downs to the roster. The Hoschton, Georgia, native has several ties to the Bulldogs and is reportedly close with new co-defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson, who was on the Crimson Tide's staff this past season.

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban highly praised Downs in December.

"I think what impresses me most about Caleb Downs is his maturity," Saban said, according to ON3's Pete Nakos. "He's a very instinctive football player, but this guy, there's no arrogance about him, being one of the best players in the country at his position."

Downs and Proctor are the latest Alabama players to explore transfer options after the program named Kalen DeBoer the successor to Saban last week.

Wide receiver Isaiah Bond and tight end Amari Niblack are among the Crimson Tide players who have opted to continue their collegiate careers elsewhere in recent weeks.