All-America safety Caleb Downs may be joining Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor, who expects to use the transfer portal after making his debut as a rookie.
Proctor made his plans known on social media on Wednesday. The social media announcement of Downs’ intention to use the platform came from Deuce Recruiting, the national recruiting director at which his father Gary, a former NFL running back, works. Gary Downs did not reply to an email from The Associated Press right away.
For head coach Kalen DeBoer, it would be the worst blow to date if Downs and Proctor choose not to rejoin the Crimson Tide.
According to the composite rankings of 247Sports, receiver Isaiah Bond, who has already left, is ranked No. 4, making them the top two players who have accessed the transfer portal.
According to the composite rankings of 247Sports, receiver Isaiah Bond, who has already left, is ranked No. 4, making them the top two players who have accessed the transfer portal.
Downs led the team in tackles, becoming the first rookie from Alabama to do so since at least 1970. After recording 107 tackles, he was named to the Southeastern Conference’s rookie of the year and the second team All-America by The Associated Press.
Proctor started all of Alabama’s games at left tackle. Proctor was ranked No. 9 in the 247Sports composite, and Downs was ranked No. 6; they were two of Alabama’s best recruits in the 2023 class.
Downs was the fourth-leading tackler in the SEC. Along with forcing and recovering fumbles, he also made two interceptions. Downs returned a punt four times and scored a touchdown.
Derrick Nix, a longtime Mississippi assistant coach, is joining Auburn as the running backs coach and offensive coordinator.
Nix, the assistant head coach of the Rebels, and quarterbacks coach Kent Austin were hired by Auburn on Wednesday. After their inaugural season, coordinator Philip Montgomery—a former head coach at Tulsa—was fired by Tigers coach Hugh Freeze.
“I’m thrilled to be back with Derrick at Auburn,” exclaimed Freeze, who was an Ole Miss coach under Nix’s direction. “With almost two decades of Southeastern Conference experience, he is an excellent recruiter and coach.” Derrick is aware of the calibre needed to succeed in our conference, and I have no doubt that he is excited about the chance to assist Auburn in building a strong programme.”
Austin served as Freeze’s offensive coordinator at Ole Miss from 2008 to 2009 and Liberty from 2019 to 22. In addition, he has held head coaching positions in the Canadian Football League and at Cornell. In 2013 and 2014, he guided the Hamilton Tiger Cats to consecutive Grey Cup finals.
He served as the head coach’s special assistant and quality control for the previous year.
With a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, praising Nix for 16 years of service and included a statement from coach Lane Kiffin, Mississippi effectively announced Nix’s new position on Wednesday.
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