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S Caleb Downs (All B1G, All-American)

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In my lifetime (the 21st century mostly), I would go Doss, Whitner, Hooker, Downs in that order (and Malcolm if we consider him a safety, my avatar will evidence how much I liked Malcolm). But it is premature, if Downs keeps this up he will be #1. I can't remember seeing a safety that diagnoses plays and gets to the LOS so fast from his position. Sure, part of it is he is playing closer to the line now and is a tremendous athlete, but he was doing it playing further back.

Then you just tack on that punt return which was to me the most exciting play of the year and phew...thank our lucky stars we got this kid to Columbus, he is the absolute game changer we hoped he would be.
 
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Jim Thorpe Winners Listed by Year​

  • 2008 – Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
  • 1998 – Antoine Winfield, Ohio State

Jim Thorpe Award Winners by Program​

  • 3 – Oklahoma, LSU
  • 2 – TCU, Alabama, USC, Ohio State, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Florida State
  • 1 – Cincinnati, Georgia, Iowa, Louisville, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Auburn, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Colorado State, Miami (FL), Baylor, Air Force
 
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Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs Named A Finalist For the Jim Thorpe Award and Bednarik Award​

By Chase Brown on November 26, 2024 at 12:03 pm @chaseabrown__
Caleb Downs

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Caleb Downs is one of the best defenders in college football. But don't just take our word for it.
Downs was named Tuesday as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and Bednarik Award. The former is an accolade presented to the best defensive back in college football, while the latter is presented to the best overall defender in the sport.
After a standout freshman year at Alabama, Downs transferred to Ohio State and has continued to shine as a sophomore. This season, the 6-foot, 205-pound safety has collected 51 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three pass breakups for the Buckeyes. He's also contributed as a punt returner, recording the program's first punt return touchdown in 10 years with a 79-yard house call against Indiana this past weekend.
This view of Caleb Downs' punt return touchdown pic.twitter.com/KrfXlUd0HU
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 23, 2024
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Ryan Day often shares that Downs' success comes from his preparation off the field, as he's one of the Buckeyes who spends the most time in the film room, weight room and coaches’ offices.
“In the recruiting process, you could tell at a young age that he just really loved football,” Day said last week. “When you talked about football, he was listening – and you better know what you’re talking about when you’re around him. That’s the first thing you realize. He comes from a football family. His brother, his dad and his mom all know football.
“You also recognize his competitiveness. You saw it in high school. You see it now. He wants to always be involved in the games. It doesn’t matter what the score is. I mean, he’s bugging me about getting back in the game. Yeah, it doesn't matter what the score is. ‘Give me a shot. Give me one more series.’ That’s the way he’s built. It’s contagious. His energy, his passion for the game, I think it really carries over to the rest of the guys on the team. It’s infectious.”
Will Howard echoed Day's sentiments in the same press conference.
“That dude is a hell of a football player, man,” Howard said. “Just watching him every week, the way he comes downhill and hits dudes and fills holes is different. I’ve never seen a guy do that from the safety position. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him miss an open-field tackle – knock on wood – but the dude is special. He’s obviously good in pass coverage, too. He’s as smart as they come. He’s one of those guys that just knows ball. He just loves it. He’s all about it. … He’s a hell of a player.”

www.elevenwarriors.com

Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs Named A Finalist For the Jim Thorpe Award and Bednarik Award

Caleb Downs is a finalist for both the Jim Thorpe and Bednarik awards, establishing him as one of the best defensive players in college football.
www.elevenwarriors.com www.elevenwarriors.com
 
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brodybuck21 said:
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www.elevenwarriors.com

Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs Named A Finalist For the Jim Thorpe Award and Bednarik Award

Caleb Downs is a finalist for both the Jim Thorpe and Bednarik awards, establishing him as one of the best defensive players in college football.
www.elevenwarriors.com www.elevenwarriors.com

Ryan Day often shares that Downs' success comes from his preparation off the field, as he's one of the Buckeyes who spends the most time in the film room, weight room and coaches’ offices.

“In the recruiting process, you could tell at a young age that he just really loved football,” Day said last week. “When you talked about football, he was listening – and you better know what you’re talking about when you’re around him. That’s the first thing you realize. He comes from a football family. His brother, his dad and his mom all know football.

“You also recognize his competitiveness. You saw it in high school. You see it now. He wants to always be involved in the games. It doesn’t matter what the score is. I mean, he’s bugging me about getting back in the game. Yeah, it doesn't matter what the score is. ‘Give me a shot. Give me one more series.’ That’s the way he’s built. It’s contagious. His energy, his passion for the game, I think it really carries over to the rest of the guys on the team. It’s infectious.”

Will Howard echoed Day's sentiments in the same press conference.

“That dude is a hell of a football player, man,” Howard said. “Just watching him every week, the way he comes downhill and hits dudes and fills holes is different. I’ve never seen a guy do that from the safety position. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him miss an open-field tackle – knock on wood – but the dude is special. He’s obviously good in pass coverage, too. He’s as smart as they come. He’s one of those guys that just knows ball. He just loves it. He’s all about it. … He’s a hell of a player.”

Downs is one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award along with Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron and Georgia safety Malaki Starks and one of three finalists for the Bednarik Award along with Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter and Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.

The winners of the Jim Thorpe Award and Bednarik Award will be named in December during ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards show, which will be held at ESPN's Bristol, Connecticut, studios on Dec. 12. Downs was the only Buckeye selected as a finalist for the awards that will be presented during that show.
 
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Caleb Downs and Seth McLaughlin Are Walter Camp First-Team All-Americans, Jeremiah Smith Makes Second Team​

By Andy Anders on December 12, 2024 at 10:25 pm @andyanders55
Caleb Downs


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Caleb Downs and Seth McLaughlin have landed on their third first-team All-American list together this postseason, though this one is the most prestigious.
On Thursday, Ohio State's star safety and center were named Walter Camp first-team All-Americans on ESPN's College Football Awards show. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith received second-team honors, adding another accolade to a historic freshman season.
Smith is the first freshman wide receiver in Ohio State history to be named a first- or second-team All-American.
Here is the nation's oldest college football All-American team - the 135th edition of the @WaltercampFF 1st and 2nd teams https://t.co/VoPUVl0Bty pic.twitter.com/kWYhR2XiZ8
— Walter Camp Football (@WalterCampFF) December 13, 2024
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McLaughlin and Downs previously landed first-team All-American nods from CBS Sports and The Athletic. The Walter Camp All-American team is the first of the five All-American teams that determine which players are consensus and unanimous All-Americans. The other four from the AFCA (Friday), AP (Monday), FWAA (Tuesday) and Sporting News (Wednesday) will be announced over the next week.
Downs has been a superstar in Ohio State's defense since transferring in from Alabama this past offseason, playing in the box, in the slot and most prevalently back deep at safety. He's the top tackling non-linebacker on the team and third in tackles overall with 62 takedowns in 2024. His missile-like nose for the ball shows in his 6.5 tackles for loss, and he's added an interception with three pass breakups.
Downs was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award during Thursday’s night awards show, but that award went to Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron.
McLaughlin's selection as a Walter Camp first-teamer only further solidifies his place as college football's best at his position after he collected the Rimington Trophy on Thursday, awarded annually to the best center in college football. He spearheaded an early-season resurgence of Ohio State's offensive line, proving dominant as both a run and pass blocker for 10 games before he tore his Achilles in practice, ending his season.
Smith set Ohio State's single-season freshman records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns this year with 57 catches for 934 yards and 10 scores. He is also one of five finalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, which will be announced on Dec. 29.
Downs, McLaughlin and Smith were each also named first-team All-Big Ten, with Smith earning Big Ten Receiver and Freshman of the Year honors and Downs winning the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year Award.

www.elevenwarriors.com

Caleb Downs and Seth McLaughlin Are Walter Camp First-Team All-Americans, Jeremiah Smith Makes Second Team

Caleb Downs and Seth McLaughlin are first-team Walter Camp All-Americans while Jeremiah Smith is the first OSU freshman wide receiver to claim second-team All-American honors.
www.elevenwarriors.com www.elevenwarriors.com
 
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