Alabama Caleb Downs Secures SEC Freshman of the Year: Alabama football safety Caleb Downs was named the SECs freshman of the year on Wednesday. The award was voted on by the leagues head coaches.
Downs leads Alabama with 99 tackles on the season. He also has two interceptions and a forced fumble.
He took over a starting role in the Alabama secondary at the beginning of the season, after coming to Tuscaloosa as a five-star prospect.
Caleb has played really well for us, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said in October. Hes very mature. The guy really pays attention to detail and does a really good job in preparation. Wants to know what hes supposed to do. How hes supposed to do it.
Why its important to do it that way. Hes got great football instincts and savvy, so he kind of understands what the other teams trying to do, which I think is important as well. So hes done a good job of that.
Downs also took over punt return duties for Alabama in recent weeks. He scored a return touchdown against Chattanooga.
His season isnt done either. Alabama won the SEC championship against Georgia on Saturday, and were handed the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff.
The Crimson Tide will face Michigan in the semifinal, which takes place in the Rose Bowl game this season. That matchup is scheduled for Jan. 1 in Pasadena.
Downs wasnt Alabamas only player to earn an SEC award on Wednesday. Linebacker Dallas Turner was named defensive player of the year, while kicker Will Reichard is the leagues special teams player of the year.
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