Wide receiver Josh Downs officially announced himself to the rest of the college football world last season, posting a record-breaking year for North Carolina. And with that came other coaches calling to try and pry him away from Mack Brown and the Tar Heels.
While at the ACC Media Days, Downs was asked about the transfer rumors that surfaced this offseason. He admitted that there were coaches trying to pursue him and get him to transfer out. And that included big programs.
But just how close was Downs from transferring? Well, not really close at all per his answer via Ross Martin of Inside Carolina:
“I just had to block [calls from schools] out; there were people coming left and right,” Downs told reporters while wearing an all-white suit. “My brother (2023 safety Caleb Downs) is the No. 1 safety in his class, so he had all the big schools talking to him, so it was an easy outlet, but I just blocked them out. NIL is always going to be a factor now. I just had to stay loyal to my team.”
UNC fans have to feel good about reading that answer as it shows that Downs is committed to the program. Him wanting to stay loyal to the Tar Heels is huge and he favors that over the NIL.
Downs could have very easily transferred and gone to most big programs as his brother, Caleb Downs, is a five-star recruit being pursued by those programs.
Now let’s hope Downs can have another big year and land in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
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