Alabama safety Caleb Downs transfer portal Oregon shot Yahoo Sports

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning aims to improve the roster by pursuing top talent, like Alabama safety Caleb Downs, in the transfer portal.

When Dan Lanning took over as head coach of the Oregon Ducks, he made it clear that the goal was to use the transfer portal to improve the team's roster in any way possible. This means that if a player becomes available who they believe can make the team better, they will pursue him, regardless of whether or not it fills a specific position of need.

On Wednesday morning, an opportunity arose with freshman Alabama safety Caleb Downs announcing that he would be entering the transfer portal. As a true freshman in 2023, Downs was an All-American safety, considered one of the best players in the nation at his position, regardless of age. He finished his freshman season with 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions, making him the top-rated player in the transfer portal.

So, do the Oregon Ducks have a chance to acquire him? The answer is uncertain. Lanning and his staff have already made contact with Downs, but Georgia and Ohio State are also favored to land him, according to a source familiar with the situation.

While the Ducks may not have a pressing need at the safety position after adding Kobe Savage and securing a commitment from Tysheem Johnson, Downs is a player they can't afford to pass up if he's interested. Despite not having a strong connection with Oregon during his recruitment, the Ducks have shown a willingness to pursue top transfer portal prospects, as evidenced by their recent acquisitions of Evan Stewart, Dante Moore, Ja'Maree Caldwell, and Dillon Gabriel. It's clear that Oregon is determined to do what it takes to bring in an elite defensive back like Downs.