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Wrestling Chat (WWF, WWE, WCW, etc.)
- By heisman
- Open Discussion (Work-safe)
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No one in the history of any sport had a higher peak than Hogan had at WrestleMania X8. Never seen anything like it. Neither Hogan, nor The Rock, knew what the fuck was going on.
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2025 Countdown Thread
- 2025 Football Season Capsule
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National Champion
All American
Team MVP
Jim Otis
Captain
Scottie Graham
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S Donte Whitner (All B1G, 3x Pro Bowl)
- By Thump
- Buckeye Alumni
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Ex-49ers star Donte Whitner out at NBC Sports Bay Area
Former 49ers safety Donte Whitner is no longer with NBC Sports Bay Area after seven seasons. The network cited budget cuts.
awfulannouncing.com
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LGHL Player of the Year: Caleb Downs could be the best defender in the country this season
- News
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Player of the Year: Caleb Downs could be the best defender in the country this season
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by CFP/Getty Images
He was the top defensive back in the Big Ten last season, but this year, Downs could set the bar on a national scale.
From now until preseason camp starts on July 31, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the players who will shine this season. Whether they are superstars, diamonds in the rough, or journeymen, these are the Buckeyes who will define the 2025-26 season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player of the Year” articles here.
As the clock wound down in the final two minutes of last year’s Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and Texas, on 3rd and 4 for the Longhorns, the ball sailed out of quarterback Quinn Ewers’ hands and right into the arms of Buckeye safety Caleb Downs, all but ending the game to send the Buckeyes to the National Championship.
“Caleb Downs has got it,” the announcer said. He was referring to the play, but that same sentiment applies to nearly everything Downs has touched in his collegiate football career. In fact, while Downs’ play on the ball was spectacular, it was almost something to be expected from Buckeye fans who had watched him step up all season long.
It seemed like no matter what happened last season, Downs was ready to make a play. That he cut through the noise as a sophomore says something about his innate ability—he made arguably as big a mark as the veterans last season, in a year in which Ohio State led the country in NFL Draft picks and set a program record for the number of defensive linemen chosen in one NFL Draft, among other things.
Now, Downs is poised to continue to dominate defensively for the Buckeyes in his junior season, and if the last two years are any indication, he could be very well-positioned to take home multiple national honors along the way.
In his freshman season at Alabama, Downs was already making waves. With 107 tackles (73 solo, 37 assists), he became the first true freshman in school history to lead the team in tackles, and additionally recorded two interceptions, one forced fumble, and three deflected passes. He was recognized as SEC Freshman of the Year in 2023 and earned First Team All-SEC honors.
Following the retirement of longtime Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Downs announced that he would be transferring to Ohio State, where he joined one of the country’s most prolific defenses in 2024. There, on a defense filled with veteran starpower, Downs still managed to become a top contributor, amassing the third-highest number of tackles (81) behind Cody Simon and Sonny Styles. He added two interceptions (tied for the highest number on the team), as well as six passes deflected.
It seemed that whenever the Buckeyes needed a big play, Downs was one of the guys you could count on to make it.
In addition to helping his team win the national championship they were after, Downs was recognized individually as the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, as well as First Team All-Big Ten and unanimous All-American honors. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the best defensive back in college football; the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in college football; and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded to a defensive player for their athletic abilities and personal character, honoring attributes such as integrity and tenacity.
As he heads into his junior season, Downs will be asked to take on even greater responsibilities, with veteran defensive backs Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, and Lathan Ransom headed to the NFL. It’s a challenge he’s well-equipped to handle—and one that could pay off for him individually.
If we look at what Downs has accomplished in his last two seasons, there’s no reason to think he won’t continue on the trajectory he’s been on. As he steps into a role as a team leader, it’s possible Downs won’t just be the team’s best defensive player this season—he has all the makings to take it a step further and be the best defender in the country.
Continue reading...
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by CFP/Getty Images
He was the top defensive back in the Big Ten last season, but this year, Downs could set the bar on a national scale.
From now until preseason camp starts on July 31, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the players who will shine this season. Whether they are superstars, diamonds in the rough, or journeymen, these are the Buckeyes who will define the 2025-26 season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Player of the Year” articles here.
As the clock wound down in the final two minutes of last year’s Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and Texas, on 3rd and 4 for the Longhorns, the ball sailed out of quarterback Quinn Ewers’ hands and right into the arms of Buckeye safety Caleb Downs, all but ending the game to send the Buckeyes to the National Championship.
“Caleb Downs has got it,” the announcer said. He was referring to the play, but that same sentiment applies to nearly everything Downs has touched in his collegiate football career. In fact, while Downs’ play on the ball was spectacular, it was almost something to be expected from Buckeye fans who had watched him step up all season long.
It seemed like no matter what happened last season, Downs was ready to make a play. That he cut through the noise as a sophomore says something about his innate ability—he made arguably as big a mark as the veterans last season, in a year in which Ohio State led the country in NFL Draft picks and set a program record for the number of defensive linemen chosen in one NFL Draft, among other things.
Now, Downs is poised to continue to dominate defensively for the Buckeyes in his junior season, and if the last two years are any indication, he could be very well-positioned to take home multiple national honors along the way.
In his freshman season at Alabama, Downs was already making waves. With 107 tackles (73 solo, 37 assists), he became the first true freshman in school history to lead the team in tackles, and additionally recorded two interceptions, one forced fumble, and three deflected passes. He was recognized as SEC Freshman of the Year in 2023 and earned First Team All-SEC honors.
Following the retirement of longtime Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Downs announced that he would be transferring to Ohio State, where he joined one of the country’s most prolific defenses in 2024. There, on a defense filled with veteran starpower, Downs still managed to become a top contributor, amassing the third-highest number of tackles (81) behind Cody Simon and Sonny Styles. He added two interceptions (tied for the highest number on the team), as well as six passes deflected.
It seemed that whenever the Buckeyes needed a big play, Downs was one of the guys you could count on to make it.
In addition to helping his team win the national championship they were after, Downs was recognized individually as the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, as well as First Team All-Big Ten and unanimous All-American honors. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the best defensive back in college football; the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in college football; and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded to a defensive player for their athletic abilities and personal character, honoring attributes such as integrity and tenacity.
As he heads into his junior season, Downs will be asked to take on even greater responsibilities, with veteran defensive backs Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, and Lathan Ransom headed to the NFL. It’s a challenge he’s well-equipped to handle—and one that could pay off for him individually.
If we look at what Downs has accomplished in his last two seasons, there’s no reason to think he won’t continue on the trajectory he’s been on. As he steps into a role as a team leader, it’s possible Downs won’t just be the team’s best defensive player this season—he has all the makings to take it a step further and be the best defender in the country.
Continue reading...
