“HE SEES THE PLAY BEFORE IT HAPPENS.” What can be said about Caleb Downs that has not yet been said? A freshman All-American at Alabama, Downs was one of the most coveted transfers in college football this past offseason. Ohio State won the Caleb Downs Sweepstakes and has reaped the rewards in 2024, as the 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back continues to look the part as one of the best defenders in the sport.
“He’s all over the field,” Ryan Day said Tuesday after the Penn State game, in which Downs made four of the best open-field tackles I’ve seen. “He’s having a huge impact on our defense. He made some huge tackles in the game. He’s a huge part of our defense.”
Jim Knowles took his praise for Downs a step further.
“He sees the play before it happens,” Knowles said. “I think he has incredible talent. But then he has vision. All the best defensive players I’ve been around see it before it happens based on the formation and the film study. It just gives him another leg up.”
It’s clear Downs’ performances – while not as impressive from a box score perspective as last year, when he had 107 tackles – have exceeded Day and Knowles’ expectations. They’ve also exceeded the expectations of Todd McShay. The NFL draft analyst posted about Downs on social media Monday and called Downs “the best safety in the country.”
This is completely random on a Monday night but just watching Ohio State D tape Caleb Downs is the best safety in the country. Hes just different. One of the best football players in the country. He would be a top-15 pick in 2025 draft if he were eligible. Maybe top-10.
— Todd McShay (@McShay13)
November 5, 2024
“This is completely random on a Monday night… but just watching Ohio State D tape… Caleb Downs is the best safety in the country. He’s just different. One of the best football players in the country. He would be a top-15 pick in the 2025 draft if he were eligible. Maybe top-10,” McShay posted.
Caleb Downs is different.
Jeremiah Smith is different. Ohio State just has a lot of
different on its roster.
You love to see it.
Seth McLaughlin's "Run the Damn Ball" hats are back on sale, Caleb Downs is a future top-10 pick and Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse adds an Ohio Stadium cake to its menu.
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