Alabama Safety Caleb Downs Named Shaun Alexander Award Finalist

Alabama safety Caleb Downs was named one of five finalists for the Shaun Alexander Award Friday morning by the Maxwell Football Club. 

The award goes to the best freshman player in college football, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 29. The award itself is named after Alabama running back great Shaun Alexander, but one former Crimson Tide player has won the award since its inception in 2018: Will Anderson Jr. in 2020. 

Caleb Downs

• Made an immediate impact on the Tide defense, earning the starting strong safety spot during fall camp
• Leads the Crimson Tide and ranks fourth in the SEC with 95 tackles, including 2.5 for loss (-10 yards)
• Part of four turnovers on the season, forcing a fumble, recovering a fumble and picking off a pair of passes
• Also took on punt return duties as of late, combining for 87 yards and a touchdown across his four returns
• A two-time SEC Freshman of the Week (Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State) and the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week following the matchup in Starkville

2023 Shaun Alexander Award Finalists

Rueben Bain, Miami DE

Kevin Concepcion, North Carolina State, WR

Caleb Downs, Alabama DB

Noah Fifta, Arizona QB

Dillon Thieneman, Purdue DB