Alabama Safety Named 2023 Shaun Alexander Award Winner

The Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday that Alabama safety Caleb Downs has earned the 2023 Shaun Alexander Award.

The Shaun Alexander Award is given to the top freshman in college football.

Downs led the Crimson Tide and finished fourth in the SEC in tackles in 2023 with 95. He started all 13 games for the Alabama defense this season adding two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two interceptions.

The 5-star recruit out of Hoschton, Ga., earned SEC Freshman of the Week twice this year, against Middle Tennessee State in Week 1 and against Mississippi State in Week 4.

Downs made numerous plays defensively throughout the season that were far and above a freshman's pay grade. Perhaps his most impactful moment was his second interception of the year against Texas A&M that gave the offense the ball right back after losing possession.

He also took four returns for 87 yards and a touchdown while serving in spot duties.

For his efforts he was also named SEC Newcomer and Freshman of the Year by the conference coaches.

Downs earned the award over five other finalists, Rueben Bain from Miami, Kevin Concepcion of N.C. State, Noah Fifita of Arizona and Dillion Theineman of Purdue.

He's the second Alabama player to win the award following fellow Georgian Will Anderson in 2020.

The award is obviously named in former Alabama running back Shaun Alexander's honor. Alexander rushed for 589 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman in 1996 for the Alabama offense.

Congratulations to Caleb Downs, DB, University of Alabama! You are the 2023 Shaun Alexander Freshman Football Player of the Year. @caleb_downs2 joins an awesome family of award-winning athletes.

2018: @Trevorlawrencee
2019: @KENNETHGAINWEL
2020: @will_anderson28… pic.twitter.com/mOo9WoHKL2
— Shaun Alexander (@shaunalexander) December 27, 2023