Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs will be departing for the NFL Draft after the season, but they could land an exciting replacement for the star defender.
There are some who feel that Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs may the best college football player in the country, and it's hard to argue that.
In his second season at Ohio State after transferring over from Alabama, Downs racked up 60 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack and a couple of interceptions and will unquestionably be a first-round pick in this year's NFL Draft.
Downs' departure will be a colossal loss for the Buckeyes and will leave a huge hole in their secondary, but just like Ryan Day poached Downs from the Crimson Tide after 2023, Ohio State may be able to snatch another top-tier safety in the transfer portal this offseason.
Jason Burgos of Sportsnaut has already linked the Buckeyes to a possible replacement, zeroing in on Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II.
"Although he is a corner, his addition could be a big one for Ohio State’s secondary, and help fill the void left by Downs," Burgos wrote. "He is a versatile DB with good athleticism and covering skills. While several SEC schools are expected to target him, Ohio State’s prestige could intrigue the native of Dallas, TX."
As Burgos noted, Abney is not a safety by trade, so he would not be a direct replacement for Downs, although he is versatile enough where he could probably slide into the role if need be.
Abney has not revealed a decision to enter the portal just yet, but there is rampant speculation that the junior defender could be preparing to leave Tempe, especially if head coach Kenny Dillingham heads elsewhere.
Abney arrived at Arizona State in 2023 but didn't began receiving significant playing time until 2024, when he registered 52 tackles, three interceptions and nine passes defended.
This year, the 20-year-old racked up 44 tackles, a sack, a couple of picks, a pair forced fumbles and 12 passes defended.
Should Abney decide to hit the portal, he would definitely be an exciting player for the Buckeyes to pursue regardless of whether or not he can fill Downs' shoes.
There would certainly be quite a sweepstakes for Abney, but there are very few schools across the nation that offer a better opportunity than Ohio State.