The button has been pressed and Alabama safety Caleb Downs is officially in the NCAA transfer portal.

That move ultimately prompted by the retirement of legendary head coach Nick Saban. 

Downs is coming off a terrific true freshman season in which he helped lead the Crimson Tide to an SEC Championship Game win and College Football Playoff 

He'll have three years of eligibility at the next school of his choice  

It is likely to be two and done before hearing his name as one of the top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

He also attended a team meeting ran by new head coach Kalen DeBoer. 

"Our time is so short and we don't have time to look at a lot of unknowns," Gary Downs said. 

It has to be previous relationships with people. We want to try and find a place with stability, the same coach and same coordinators