Caleb Downs

Last updated

Caleb Downs
2025-0120 Caleb Downs.jpg
No. 2 – Ohio State Buckeyes
Position Safety
Personal information
Born (2004-12-10) December 10, 2004 (age 21)
Hoschton, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school Mill Creek (Hoschton)
College
Awards and highlights
Stats at ESPN

Caleb Downs (born December 10, 2004) is an American college football safety. He played for the Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes. Downs won the 2024 CFP national champion with Ohio State and won the 2025 Lott Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award.

Contents

Early life

Downs was born in Hoschton, Georgia. [1] He attended Mill Creek High School in his home town of Hoschton, where he was a standout Football, Basketball and Baseball athlete. [2] [3] Downs was named the All-American Bowl Player of the Year as a senior. [4] He was ranked as one of the top players in the 2023 college football recruiting class and considered the nation's No. 1 safety prospect. [5] He was ranked No. 9 nationally by Rivals.com, [6] No. 11 by ESPN [7] and No. 8 by 247Sports. [8] Downs was named the 2023 USA Today Defensive Football Player of the Year. [9]

College career

Downs in 2025 2025-0722 Caleb Downs.jpg
Downs in 2025

Downs committed to Alabama on July 27, 2022. [10] He chose Alabama over Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame and Ohio State. [11] In his debut, he led the team in tackles with eight. [12] At the conclusion of his freshman season Downs was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. [13] [14] Following the retirement of Nick Saban, he transferred to Ohio State. [15] In Ohio State's 38–15 win over No. 5 Indiana, Downs returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown. [16] At the conclusion of the 2024 season Downs was named a unanimous All-American. [17] On January 7, 2026, he declared for the 2026 NFL draft. [18]

Off the field, Downs has been noted as one of the most prominent athletes in the "Name, Image, and Likeness" (NIL) era. He has secured several major endorsement deals, including a partnership with activewear brand Rhoback [19] and an exclusive deal with trading card company Panini America. [20]

Personal life

Downs' father, Gary, played college football for NC State and for seven years in the National Football League. Gary is now a representative for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and coaches. His uncle, Dré Bly, played for the North Carolina Tar Heels and also played in 11 years in the National Football League (NFL) - for eleven years. Caleb's brother Josh also played with the Tar Heels, and is now with the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL.

References

  1. ↑ Dutta, Malabika (July 18, 2024). "Who Are Caleb Downs' Parents? Meet the Family of OSU Safety". EssentiallySports. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  2. ↑ Austin, Brooks (July 27, 2022). "Caleb Downs Commits to Alabama Football". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes, Safety". 247Sports. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Alabama 5-Star DB signee Caleb Downs named All-American Bowl National Player of the Year". Touchdown Alabama Magazine. January 7, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  5. ↑ Smith, Justin (December 21, 2022). "No. 1 safety Caleb Downs signs with Alabama football". Touchdown Alabama Magazine. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Caleb Downs, 2023 Safety, Alabama". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Caleb Downs - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles". ESPN . Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Caleb Downs, Alabama, Safety". 247sports.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ "2023 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards". USA Today Sports. July 30, 2023 – via YouTube.
  10. ↑ Fawcett, Hayes (July 27, 2022). "5-star safety Caleb Downs commits to Alabama". On3.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Caleb Downs". Alabama Crimson Tide .
  12. ↑ Stahl, Matt (September 4, 2023). "Caleb Downs impresses in Alabama football debut. Can he keep it up against Texas?". AL.com .
  13. ↑ Nakos, Pete (January 17, 2024). "Alabama safety, SEC Freshman of the Year Caleb Downs makes decision on NCAA Transfer Portal". On3. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  14. ↑ "2023 SEC All-Freshman Football Team Announced". SEC Sports. December 7, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  15. ↑ VanHaaren, Tom (January 20, 2024). "Source: Ex-Tide star safety Downs picks Ohio St". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  16. ↑ Curtright, Austin (November 23, 2024). "Watch: Caleb Downs returns punt 79 yards for OSU touchdown to open second half vs Indiana". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Caleb Downs, Seth McLaughlin Consensus All-Americans". Ohio State Buckeyes. December 19, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  18. ↑ Kaufman, Joey (January 7, 2026). "Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs declares for NFL draft". The Columbus Dispatch . Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Caleb Downs inks $50,000 NIL deal after Alabama transfer". ClutchPoints. August 21, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Top 10 NIL Deals in 2025 Include Julian Sayin, Carson Beck, and Arch Manning". Pro Football Network. November 8, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
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