Breaking: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Caleb Downs has allegedly declined Alabama’s enormous $11.2 million NIL offer, reaffirming his intention to complete his undergraduate career at Ohio State.
In the ever-evolving world of college football’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era, one of the biggest stories of the offseason has just dropped. Caleb Downs — one of the most electrifying young wide receivers in the country and a foundational piece for the Ohio State Buckeyes — has reportedly turned down an astronomical NIL offer from Alabama worth a staggering $11.2 million.
Multiple sources close to the situation indicate that Downs, who transferred from Alabama to Ohio State earlier this year, is fully committed to completing his undergraduate career in Columbus. Despite Alabama’s aggressive push to lure him back with what would have been one of the largest known NIL deals in college football history, Downs is said to have reaffirmed his decision to stay with the Buckeyes, citing loyalty, development, and championship aspirations under head coach Ryan Day.
The news of Alabama’s massive offer — first reported by insiders within the Buckeyes’ program and later corroborated by NIL collectives tracking the marketplace — underscores just how high the stakes have become in college football. With top-tier programs jockeying not just for recruits but for portal talent and even return transfers, the NIL landscape has evolved into a high-dollar, high-drama environment.
This latest chapter, featuring a player switching from Alabama to Ohio State and then allegedly turning down an offer to return, illustrates the rare but powerful pull of program culture and fit over pure monetary incentive.
“This is a player who had every reason, financially, to flip again,” one Big Ten assistant coach told us under the condition of anonymity. “But he’s made it clear: he’s a Buckeye now. He believes in what they’re building. That says a lot in this era.”
Downs, a former five-star recruit out of Mill Creek High School in Georgia, initially committed to Alabama in 2023, where he quickly emerged as one of the most gifted true freshmen in recent memory — albeit as a safety. His natural athleticism, vision, and ball skills had some comparing him to college-era Minkah Fitzpatrick. But what few outside of the Alabama program saw coming was Downs’ ambition to transition into a dual-role athlete.
During his freshman year, Downs made waves not only as a defensive phenom but also began receiving reps in Alabama’s offensive packages during practice. Nick Saban’s staff reportedly explored the idea of deploying him as a wide receiver in special situations, but the move was never fully realized.
After Saban’s retirement following the 2024 season and the arrival of Kalen DeBoer as Alabama’s new head coach, Downs entered the portal — a move that stunned Crimson Tide fans but, in retrospect, was part of a broader search for fit and opportunity.
Within days, he committed to Ohio State, where Ryan Day and newly installed offensive coordinator Chip Kelly presented a compelling vision: Downs would not only continue to grow as a two-way threat but would feature heavily in a creative, uptempo scheme designed to maximize his explosiveness.
For Downs, the fit at Ohio State went beyond Xs and Os. Sources close to the program say that the Georgia native has developed strong bonds with both his new teammates and the Buckeyes’ coaching staff. Star quarterback Will Howard and wideout Emeka Egbuka are said to have helped mentor Downs through spring camp, while strength coach Mickey Marotti has already customized a development plan to transition Downs into an elite offensive weapon.
“Caleb’s the kind of athlete you don’t get often,” Ryan Day said after Ohio State’s spring game. “He’s smart, he’s mature, and he wants to be great. He’s embraced everything we’re doing here. He’s got the respect of this locker room already.”
Day’s vision reportedly played a key role in keeping Downs from seriously reconsidering Alabama’s mega-offer. Although the Crimson Tide remained persistent — reportedly upping their initial offer from around $7 million to over $11 million in a span of weeks — Downs and his family ultimately decided that no dollar amount could replace the holistic growth and exposure he’s receiving at Ohio State.
While NIL has undeniably transformed college sports — empowering athletes with financial opportunities that were previously unimaginable — Downs’ decision could mark a new chapter in how elite players approach the game.
“He could’ve cashed in immediately,” said a former Power Five head coach now working as an NIL consultant. “But what he’s betting on is that staying with Ohio State, playing in a system that features him, and potentially winning a national title might be worth even more long-term.”
NFL scouts appear to agree. Early 2026 mock drafts already list Downs as a potential top-10 pick, with some projecting him as the most dynamic two-way prospect since Charles Woodson.
A high NFL draft position brings its own massive financial windfall, and by sticking with a stable system and staff in Columbus, Downs appears poised to maximize his long-term valuation both on and off the field.
For Alabama, missing on Downs twice — once in the portal and once in their return bid — stings. The Crimson Tide remain deep and talented across the roster, but the loss of a player like Downs, who understands their system and could’ve brought immediate impact, creates questions about retention, transition, and the true cost of turnover in the NIL era.
That said, sources close to Alabama’s administration insist that the offer to Downs was part of a broader NIL recalibration under new leadership. The program still boasts one of the largest and best-funded collectives in the nation, and insiders suggest this failed recruitment was less about desperation and more about swinging big on a game-changing player.
“Let’s be clear: Downs is special,” one Alabama source said. “But we’re still Alabama. We’ll reload.”
As Ohio State enters the summer with championship expectations, Downs is expected to be one of the centerpieces of the offense. Insiders indicate he’ll be used as a slot receiver, motion weapon, and even a red-zone option — while also retaining the ability to flip to the defensive backfield in situational packages.
Off the field, Downs is already drawing attention from national brands, including major shoe companies, streaming platforms, and tech startups looking to tie their image to a disciplined, electrifying athlete. While he turned down Alabama’s lucrative offer, that doesn’t mean he’s walking away from money altogether.
In fact, one industry expert estimated that Downs could easily generate between $2-4 million in NIL earnings this season — all while preserving eligibility, building brand equity, and preparing for an NFL payday that could dwarf even Alabama’s nine-figure bait.
The Caleb Downs saga — from Alabama star to Ohio State transfer to turning down one of the largest known NIL offers ever — feels like a watershed moment. It’s a reminder that while money matters, fit still wins. Relationships still matter. And for some players, the vision for their career isn’t shaped entirely by a checkbook.
For Ohio State, it’s a massive cultural victory. For Alabama, a rare swing-and-miss. For college football, it’s a glimpse into the delicate balance between capitalism and loyalty.
While the exact numbers in NIL are often hard to verify due to private contracts and varying state laws, Caleb Downs’ alleged $11.2 million offer would likely rank near or at the top of all known NIL deals. Here’s how it compares:
- Arch Manning (Texas) – Estimated $3.7 million
- Bronny James (USC) – Estimated $5.9 million
- Livvy Dunne (LSU gymnastics) – Estimated $3.4 million
- Travis Hunter (Colorado) – Estimated $2.2 million
By turning down $11.2 million, Downs would have nearly doubled the highest publicly known deal to date. His decision will no doubt be studied by athletes, agents, and administrators alike.
