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Caleb Downs

Caleb Downs (born December 10, 2004) is an American safety for the of the . A native of , Downs attended Mill Creek High School, where he was rated as a five-star recruit and the top safety in the class of 2023 by major services. He committed to the in July 2022, becoming the highest-rated defensive recruit in program history. As a true freshman at in 2023, Downs earned an immediate starting role at strong safety and became the first freshman in program history to lead the team in tackles, recording 107 total tackles, two interceptions, and four pass breakups while helping the to an Championship. Following Saban's , Downs entered the in January 2024 and committed to Ohio State less than 48 hours later, citing the program's defensive scheme and coaching staff as key factors. In his first season with the Buckeyes in 2024, Downs started all 16 games, leading the secondary with 82 tackles (49 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and six pass breakups, earning unanimous first-team All-American honors, Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, and finalist nods for the Jim Thorpe and Chuck Bednarik Awards. Through the first 10 games of the 2025 season as of November 19, he has recorded 46 tackles (29 solo), four tackles for loss, and two interceptions, ranking third on the team in tackles while continuing as a cornerstone of Ohio State's top-ranked defense. Downs hails from a prominent football family; his father, , was an NFL running back for the and from 1995 to 2000, while his uncle, , is a former cornerback who played 11 seasons in the league. His older brother, , is a wide receiver for the .

Early life

Youth and family background

Caleb Downs was born in 2004 in , a small town in Jackson County northeast of . He grew up in this suburban community, where his family emphasized athleticism and personal discipline from an early age. His parents, Gary and Tanya Downs, both had backgrounds in sports—Gary as a former college running back at North Carolina State and NFL player, and Tanya as a soccer player through high school—creating an environment that naturally introduced Downs to competitive activities. Downs' initial exposure to football came through his family's involvement in the sport, particularly his father and older brother , who later became an NFL . At around age 2, he developed an early fascination, staging mock games with figurines and mimicking professional plays. Though initially reluctant to play organized at age 6—preferring to avoid following directly in his brother's footsteps—Downs soon embraced the game, starting as a and linebacker in local youth programs. His family noted his quick tactical awareness even then, such as pointing out opponents' untied shoelaces during plays. In youth leagues, including U6 soccer where he stood out with aggressive slide tackles before transitioning fully to , Downs demonstrated natural talent and an unusual level of dedication. By ages 8 or 9, he was reviewing game film with coaches to anticipate plays and drawing up strategies, reflecting an "obsession" with the sport that his family described as relentless repetition of skills he enjoyed. This early focus, combined with self-taught feats like solving a in elementary school, highlighted his drive for mastery, laying the foundation for his athletic development.

High school career

Caleb Downs attended Mill Creek High School in , where he played under head coach Josh Lovelady. During his senior year in 2022, Downs contributed on offense, recording 389 rushing yards and 39 passing yards while helping lead the Hawks to a 14-1 record and the Class 7A state championship. His versatility extended to defense, where he excelled as a , earning widespread recognition for his playmaking ability. Downs received the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year award for his outstanding performance, which included 76 tackles and five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He was also named the 2023 All-American Bowl Player of the Year, honoring him as the top high school senior in the nation. As one of the premier prospects in the class of 2023, Downs was rated the No. 1 by multiple recruiting services and ranked No. 9 overall by , No. 11 by , and No. 8 by . On July 27, 2022, he committed to play for the .

College career

University of Alabama

Caleb Downs enrolled at the as a highly touted in 2023, quickly earning a starting role at strong safety under head coach . In his collegiate debut on September 2, 2023, against Middle Tennessee State, Downs recorded 8 tackles (6 solo, 2 assisted) and 1 tackle for loss, leading the defense in a 56-7 victory. During the 2023 season, solidified his position as a key contributor in Alabama's secondary, starting all 14 games and becoming the first true in program history to lead the team in tackles. He amassed 107 total tackles (70 solo, 37 assisted), including 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery, while also contributing on special teams with 4 punt returns for 87 yards and 1 . His performance helped anchor the defense during Alabama's 12-2 campaign, which included a appearance. Downs' standout freshman year earned him the 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year award, as voted by the league's head coaches, along with first-team All-SEC honors. Following Nick Saban's retirement announcement on January 10, 2024, Downs entered the on January 17, 2024, ending his tenure at after just one season.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Following his freshman year at , Caleb Downs transferred to in January 2024, shortly after Saban's retirement announcement prompted significant roster changes for the . In his season of 2024, Downs quickly became a cornerstone of the Buckeyes' defense, recording 82 tackles (49 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and six pass breakups across 16 games. One of his standout plays came on November 23 against , when he returned a 79 yards for a , marking Ohio State's first punt return score since 2014 and helping secure a 38-7 . At the season's end, including the on January 20, 2025, where Ohio State defeated 34-23, Downs earned unanimous All-American honors as the program's 34th such selection. As a junior in 2025, Downs assumed a prominent leadership role, earning selection as one of four team captains by his peers before the season began. His influence extended beyond statistics, as he mentored younger defensive backs and emphasized accountability in practices, helping maintain the unit's status as the nation's top scoring defense. On September 6, Downs notched his first interception of the campaign during Ohio State's season opener, setting an early tone for his ball-hawking ability. Through nine games as of November 6, 2025, Downs had recorded 43 tackles (28 solo), two tackles for loss, two , one quarterback hurry, and one pass breakup. His 2025 season featured several pivotal moments, including an overturned targeting penalty on November 1 against Penn State that allowed him to remain in the game during a crucial 28-17 win, where he also recorded a game-sealing . Against Purdue on November 8, he delivered a key pass breakup that led to an by teammate Mathews Jr., contributing to a dominant 34-10 defensive effort that held the Boilermakers to just 10 points. As of November 19, 2025, following additional games including a win over on , Downs ranked third on the team in tackles while continuing as a cornerstone of State's top-ranked defense, with performances that solidified his reputation as the No. 1 defensive player in . He was named a semifinalist for the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy on November 10. On October 15, 2025, Downs announced expansions to his NIL portfolio, launching a called "Snackin’ with the : Munchy Medley" and a line "Brew for the Bucks," both available at stores, signaling his growing off-field brand amid considerations for his post-college future.

Personal life

Family

Caleb Downs comes from a family deeply rooted in , with several relatives who have achieved prominence in the sport at both the collegiate and professional levels. His father, , was a standout at , where he ranked third all-time in rushing touchdowns and tenth in rushing yardage for . was selected in the third round (95th overall) of the by the and went on to play seven seasons in the league as a , appearing in 70 games across stints with the Giants, , and . After his playing career, transitioned into coaching, serving as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at . Downs' uncle, , further extends the family's legacy as a who enjoyed an 11-year professional career after being drafted in the second round (41st overall) of the by the . Bly played for the Rams, , , and , accumulating 43 interceptions—including five returned for touchdowns—and earning two selections while contributing to the Rams' victory. His older brother, , is a who played at the , where he recorded 202 receptions for 2,483 yards and 22 touchdowns over 34 games. was selected in the third round (79th overall) of the by the and has since established himself as a key contributor in the team's receiving corps.

Off-field activities

Caleb Downs entered the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape during his college career, securing early partnerships that highlighted his growing prominence as a defensive standout. In August 2024, he signed an apparel deal with Rhoback, an activewear brand, to help promote their new licensed Ohio State collection, marking one of his initial high-profile endorsements upon transferring to the Buckeyes. This agreement continued into 2025, with Downs serving as a Rhoback U Athlete, further integrating his personal brand with the company's collegiate marketing efforts. Downs expanded his NIL portfolio significantly in 2025, capitalizing on his status as a top player amid a dominant season for Ohio State. Key additions included an exclusive autograph trading card deal with Panini America in January 2025, making him the first defensive player in history to secure such a partnership with the company. Later that year, in August, he joined Beats by Dre's "Beats Elite" class alongside other prominent athletes, promoting their audio products through targeted campaigns. He also partnered with energy drinks around the same time, aligning with brands seeking to reach young, active demographics. These endorsements, reported throughout the 2025 season, contributed to his NIL valuation exceeding $2.4 million by mid-year. Beyond traditional endorsements, Downs has cultivated a strong presence to enhance his and promotional activities. His account (@calebdowns) serves as a key platform for engaging fans and showcasing partnerships, including promotions for NXTRND, a NIL-focused apparel and he joined as an in 2023. He has also leveraged the account to highlight Launchpoint, an NIL app he co-launched in August 2024 with Cornell graduates to connect Ohio State s with over 250 brands for streamlined deal opportunities. Additionally, Downs maintains an profile on Rally Fuel, a fan-supported platform that facilitates direct NIL contributions from supporters to Buckeyes players. These off-field pursuits underscore his proactive role in the evolving NIL era, blending commercial opportunities with innovative tools for empowerment.

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