2026 NFL Draft Thread

[dbair1967]

Interesting.

 

[dbair1967]

 

[icup]

 

[dbair1967]

Good, I hope they do it.

 

[Doomsday]

Good, I hope they do it.

Not me, I want them to stick with Hurts for many more years.

 

[icup]

Not me, I want them to stick with Hurts for many more years.

i think the drama it could cause would be worth watching, but yeah, as long as they don't come out on the other end with a good QB

 

[dbair1967]

Simpson is not going to be a good QB NFL IMO.

And he only declared for the draft because it was likely he'd get beat out as QB1 at Bama anyway. The kid behind him is very talented.

 

[icup]

 

[Dodger12]

Has an ACL tear so not sure what the interest is on our part.

Is this a serious question? That almost guarantees we'll draft him......

 

[dbair1967]

 

[dbair1967]

Nick Saban has spoken very highly of Caleb Downs (who played safety for Alabama as a freshman in 2023 before transferring to Ohio State after Saban's retirement). Here are some of the key things Saban has said about him as a player and person:Strongest Praise (November 2024 on College GameDay)Saban called Downs "one of the most complete people I've ever had the opportunity to coach." He added that Downs is "a great person, a great student," and highlighted his phenomenal on-field play and competitive intelligence/IQ.


On Downs' Freshman Performance (2023)Saban repeatedly raved about Downs' maturity and impact as a true freshman:

• He praised Downs' high football IQ, preparation, and ability to lead the defense despite his youth.
• Saban noted Downs played "really, really well for us all season long. Probably as well as any freshman I've ever coached."
  
  @JahmalKennedy
• In another instance, Saban described him as "one of my favorite all-time players" and emphasized the maturity and preparation Downs showed right away.
  
  tuscaloosanews.com

Saban also joked lightheartedly about Downs (e.g., a "swear jar" story from team meetings and pretending he couldn't "trust" him because Downs called him out on cursing), but always circled back to serious praise for Downs' character and competitiveness.

al.com
Overall, Saban has portrayed Downs as an exceptionally mature, smart, and complete player who stood out immediately at Alabama — both in talent and as a person. Downs himself has credited Saban heavily for his development and consistency.