S Caleb Downs, Captain (All B1G, All-American, National Champion)

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Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs Named AP Midseason First-Team All-Americans​

By Andy Anders on October 16, 2025 at 11:24 am @andyanders55

Five Buckeyes have earned high honors from the Associated Press at the midway point of the college football season.
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith were all named first-team AP midseason All-Americans on Thursday. Defensive linemen Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald took home second-team honors.
Reese has emerged as perhaps the best linebacker in college football through six games, and his recognition as a midseason first-teamer is further proof of that. He leads the Buckeyes in tackles with 38 and is second in sacks with 4.5, playing in a variety of spots on the field, including traditional off-ball linebacker, on the edge as a rusher and in the B-gap on the line of scrimmage.
Downs was a unanimous All-American in 2024, and his momentum hasn't slowed in 2025. The engine of Ohio State's defense, Downs has 28 tackles and an interception.
Smith continues to be the best receiver in college football, even if his stats have just been great and not nation-leading in 2025. He's been a major decoy for the Ohio State offense even when he's not getting the ball, freeing up other weapons for big plays. He has 40 receptions for 505 yards and seven touchdowns.

Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald have emerged as the anchors of the Ohio State defensive line at defensive end and defensive tackle, respectively. Curry has a team-high six sacks with 31 total tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss, while McDonald has racked up incredible production for a nose guard with 26 tackles, six TFLs and three sacks.
Ohio State’s five total selections are the most of any school. The Buckeyes tied Texas A&M for the most first-team selections.

Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs Named AP Midseason First-Team All-Americans

The Associated Press named Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs and Jeremiah Smith first-team All-Americans, while Kayden McDonald and Caden Curry made the second-team.

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These stats give even more proof that Caleb Downs is the best DB in college football

There are so many highlights to Ohio State's defense, it is hard to keep track of all of the players, but there is one that seems to be standing out just a litt

scarletandgame.com

These stats give even more proof that Caleb Downs is the best DB in college football​

Caleb Downs has made it hard on opposing teams, especially opposing wide receivers and quarterbacks.

There are so many highlights to Ohio State's defense, it is hard to keep track of all of the players, but there is one that seems to be standing out just a little bit more than the rest. Junior safety Caleb Downs has had a phenomenal season so far for the Buckeyes in his second year at Ohio State.

So far in his second season with the Buckeyes, Downs has a total of 19 tackles, 11 solo tackles, and one interception. The takeaways are not as high right now, but that is also because quarterbacks don't want to target Downs or the receivers he is covering because he has such good coverage on them.

According to PFF, Pro Football Focus, Downs has only allowed 21 yards to receivers he has covered; he has not allowed a single touchdown, quarterbacks have an average 27.4 passer rating when they have targeted the receivers he has covered, and he has an 88.5 coverage grade.

Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs This Season:



Downs has been key to Ohio State's defense being so dominant this season. When Downs is able to take over a third of the field away from quarterbacks, that leaves less for a quarterback to deal with. If the opposing quarterback can't feel comfortable throwing the ball, it forces the offense to run the ball more, which the Buckeyes are also comfortable stopping.
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