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Caleb Downs – Player Bio

True junior Caleb Downs enters 2025 as America's top defensive player and a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. The elite safety will contend for every major defensive award, including the Thorpe, Nagurski, Bednarik, and Lott IMPACT trophies. Downs was instrumental in Ohio State's 2024 national championship run, ranking third on the team with 82 tackles while contributing eight passes defensed including crucial interceptions against Michigan and Texas in the CFP semifinals. His 79-yard punt return touchdown against Indiana marked Ohio State's first punt return TD in a decade. Named Ohio State's 39th unanimous All-American, Downs earned recognition from all major outlets and captured the Big Ten's Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award. He was a finalist for the Thorpe, Nagurski, and Lott IMPACT awards. The former Alabama transfer made immediate impact after joining Ohio State in January 2024. At Alabama in 2023, he became the first freshman in program history to lead the team in tackles with 107 stops, earning Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year honors and SEC Freshman of the Year recognition. With 189 career tackles and stellar academic achievement as an OSU Scholar-Athlete majoring in sports industry, Downs combines elite athleticism with exceptional character, continuing a family football legacy that includes NFL father Gary Downs and Pro Bowl uncle Dre Bly.