Tag: Caleb Downs

Ohio State star explains why he didn’t transfer to Georgia

A former Georgia transfer target, who is playing in the national championship, explains why he picked Ohio State.

Star Ohio State safety Caleb Downs plays against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the national championship game, but did you know the Alabama transfer almost picked Georgia over Ohio State? Downs explained why he signed Ohio State over Georgia after he entered the transfer portal.

“Georgia was a really big school for me, just because I grew up here,” Downs told Dawgnation’s Connor Riley. “And being really familiar with the coaching staff, coach Kirby, (Will) Muschamp and T-Rob had just went there. So it was a really big opportunity to go there.”

Downs’ previous cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson nearly persuaded Downs to transfer to Georgia after Robinson left Alabama shortly after Nick Saban’s retirement.

Downs became a Buckeye on Jan. 19, 2024. Since then, Downs became a unanimous All-American, totaling 77 tackles, 7 1/2 tackles for loss, two interceptions, six pass deflections and a punt return touchdown. He’s the best player on Ohio State’s elite defense.

“Really, I felt like God was calling me there,” Downs said. “He made the situation come to fruition. The Holy Spirit has brought me here to this day. And I pray for God, not for me.”

During his freshman year at Alabama, he earned second-team All-American and the Coaches’ first-team All-SEC selection. Georgia got to see Downs in action during the 2023 SEC championship. Against the Bulldogs, he racked up seven tackles and one tackle for loss. Kirby Smart discussed him before the game.

“He doesn’t look like a freshman at all. He looks like a guy that’s been playing for three years,” Smart said. “He’s instinctive. He’s fast. He’s fearless. He’s everything that he was in high school. I’ve seen him play about 100 7-on-7 games at our stadium and at our facility when his high school team came over all the time, and he’s everything that we thought he was. He’s just a football player that is instinctive, great tackler. Just what you draw up when you want a defensive back.”

Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald gives former teachers gift of a lifetime

Grab some Kleenex #GoBucks

We all can probably look back on our childhood and think of teachers who made a difference in our lives. Whether it was someone who stayed late to help us with an assignment or just told us how much they believed in us, teachers have helped shape our lives.

Before they were teammates at Ohio State, star safety Caleb Downs and defensive lineman Kayden McDonald were childhood friends growing up in the Atlanta area. They attended elementary school together before parting ways and shining on the gridiron at different high schools. But in those elementary school days, a special connection was made, not only with each other but also with two former teachers.

Maria Martin of NBC Atlanta recently shared a heartwarming story: She sat down with Rob Arrington and Cheryl Bonds to reminisce about the Buckeye stars’ return home. The teachers had glowing comments to share about the boys who are now young men. And then came the ending when Martin shared a video message from McDonald, who offered praise and thanks and then gave the two educators the gift of a lifetime.

Grab some Kleenex and watch the full video below.

 

What a way to say thank you! Two people who go to work every day with the hope of making a positive impact have done just that. It doesn’t always get noticed and many times teachers are left wondering if they are making a difference at all, but in this case, the evidence is clear.

Ohio State will battle Notre Dame for a national championship on Monday and Mr. Arrington and Ms. Bonds will be there to see two formal pupils give their all. Something tells me they will be proud of their students no matter the outcome.

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Three Ohio State players make USA TODAY first team All-American

Three on the first team! #GoBucks

It’s that time of year when some of the postseason awards start to trickle out, and we have one such instance with the announcement of the USA TODAY All-American teams Thursday.

Usually, if there’s an All-American team in football, there is a decent amount of Scarlet and Gray associated with it, and that’s also the case with this one, with three Ohio State players making the first team. You can probably venture a guess which players got the honor, but just in case, we’re here to inform you, because — well, that’s what we do.

In one case, we’re talking about a freshman, so make note of that (and yeah, you know who it is). OSU did not have a player appearing on the second team.

Offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, Safety Caleb Downs, and freshman wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith were all honored as USA TODAY first team All-Americans with the reveal on Thursday.

Jackson, a senior, has been the anchor of the offensive line, even moving positions when the team lost left tackle, Josh Simmons, for the season. He’s been the Buckeyes best lineman and has a good chance of being an early round NFL draft pick in April.

Downs was great at Alabama, and has lived up to the billing after transferring to Ohio State. He hasn’t amassed as many tackles in Columbus as he did his freshman year in Tuscaloosa, but that’s been more a byproduct of how the Buckeyes use him in the scheme. Still, he has one interception and 0.5 sacks on the season, and is often seen coming up on run support when asked as well.

Meanwhile, Smith has been a revelation for the college football world this season. We kept hearing about his exploits during workouts and spring ball, and he’s done nothing but make good on all of that this year with highlight catches, crips routes, body control, and a work ethic that’s already set him a part as a freshman. He leads Ohio State in receiving yards (954) and touchdown catches (10), and is second in receptions (57).

Congrats to all three of these players and let’s hope there’s more coming in the postseason.

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Ohio State defensive back earns prestigious conference award

Quite the honor for Downs. #GoBucks

The Ohio State Buckeyes have arguably the best defense in the country, partially because of safety Caleb Downs.

Their elite secondary is a huge reason for their success on that side of the ball this season, and one player who has been pivotal in that high level of play is Alabama transfer Downs.

Downs, who is in just his second collegiate season, has totaled 34 solo tackles, seven tackles for a loss, and one interception. He also has a punt return for a touchdown to his name.

For his play, Downs has been named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year.

Downs has been an instrumental anchor to this team’s secondary. While Ohio State allows opponents to hit over 60% of their pass attempts, the Buckeyes rank 6th in the country in opponent average team passer rating.

Ohio State’s defense is the real deal, and Downs, who is rightfully being recognized for his high level of play, should continue to put on a show as the College Football Playoff commences in the coming weeks.

Caleb Downs named finalist for prestigious defensive player award

Ohio State football brought in Alabama safety Caleb Downs, and he has shined throughout his first season with the Buckeyes.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the betting favorites to be the College Football Playoff National Champions and will get another chance to prove themselves this upcoming weekend against the Michigan Wolverines.

They’re in that position partially because of safety Caleb Downs, who has been a star for the Buckeyes this season. Downs has been a key weapon for the team’s secondary and is blossoming during his first season in Columbus.

That said, he’s been so good that he’s been named a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award. Here’s the official release from the program’s Twitter/X account.

Downs, who also had a punt return for a touchdown during the third quarter of the Buckeyes’ dominant 38-15 home victory Saturday, has totaled 30 solo tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 7 tackles for a loss this season.

Despite Downs having yet to have an interception, his impact has been unmatched. Two other players were finalists with Downs as both Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Colorado’s Travis Hunter cracked the list.

WATCH: Caleb Downs returns punt return for touchdown vs Indiana

WATCH: Caleb Downs returns punt return for touchdown vs Indiana #GoBucks

It’s been a long while since we’ve seen an Ohio State kick return of any variety taken back for a touchdown, but that drought is now over thanks to safety Caleb Downs.

Ohio State gained some momentum late in the second half in a tight, 7-7 game, took a 14-7 lead into the locker room but had to kick off back to the Hoosiers to start the second half. The defense once again stepped up and forced a punt, which resulted in the first punt return for a touchdown since Jalin Marshall took one back to the house against Indiana in 2014.

So far the Buckeyes look good in a wet and rainy top-five match-up with the offense finding its stride and the defense taking over after that first Hoosier drive that resulted in a touchdown. As upsetting as it was to watch Ohio State go three and out on its first drive and left Indiana march down for a score, it was expected considering the Hoosiers had an off-week last week.

Check out the Caleb Downs punt return below:

Ohio State goes up 14 on Indiana as Caleb Downs returns punt 79 yards for touchdown

Caleb Downs with a huge play on special teams for Ohio State

Special teams were leading Ohio State on Saturday and crushing Indiana.

The Buckeyes took advantage of a botched snap late in the first half and scored to go up 14-7.

In the third quarter, Alabama transfer Caleb Downs collected a Hoosier punt and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown.

Downs is a transfer from Alabama.

Nick Saban shares hilarious story of swearing in meetings with former player Caleb Downs

Nick Saban tells a funny story about Caleb Downs and the coach’s use of swear words during the 2023 Alabama football season.

Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban has been known to sometimes be a bit, er, colorful with his language.

Anyone who watched Saban through the years at his press conferences at Alabama (and previously at LSU) or saw him animated on the sidelines during games doesn’t need a reminder.

During his appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay, which broadcast live from Ohio Stadium in Columbus ahead of the top five matchup between the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers and No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday, Saban made light of his history of swearing by telling a story involving Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs.

Downs committed to Alabama in 2022 and spent his freshman season in 2023 with the Crimson Tide before transferring to Ohio State after Saban announced his retirement in January.

As Saban explained:

“The one thing about Caleb that I have to tell you: I just don’t know if I can trust him. We had a rule last year because I didn’t want to cuss in meetings. I was trying to be this ‘transformational’ leader and set a good example. So, every time I cussed in a meeting — and I was always in the DBs’ meeting — I had to pay five bucks. Well, Caleb was the guy holding the can. Well, there was about $500 in the can, and I don’t know whatever happened to the can.”

Host Rece Davis said that he had learned that Downs and former teammate Terrion Arnold, now a rookie cornerback with the Detroit Lions, had spent the proceeds of the “swear can.”

“Jen Lada did a little bit of digging. Caleb Downs says he and Terrion Arnold have spent that money. Wherever it is, it’s gone,” Davis said to a chorus of laugher from Saban and the GameDay crew. Saban quipped: “It should have been a group deal.”

All joking aside, Saban praised Downs for being one of the best players he had ever coached.

“This guy is one of the most complete people that I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach. He’s a great person, a great student, and he’s a phenomenal football player, a great competitor. His competitive IQ, how he responds on the field and reacts instinctively, I mean it’s in the top tier of all players of all-time.”

RELATED: Nick Saban on Jordan-Hare Stadium: ‘That place is HAUNTED’

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Ohio State football’s Caleb Downs given another prestigious honor

Caleb Downs has been one of the best defensive players in the country, and he’s been named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award.

The Ohio State Buckeyes snagged Caleb Downs out of the transfer portal as he played his freshman season with the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the addition was arguably among the most impactful in all of college football.

Downs hasn’t had many of the stats to back up his accolades, but the impact he’s had for one of the best secondaries in the nation speaks for itself, especially considering how the Buckeyes held Penn State to just 150 passing yards in a road win which they allowed just six offensive points.

That said, Downs was listed as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented to the best defensive player in college football. It is judged by the Maxwell Football Club.

The award was first given out to Pat Fitzgerald in 1995. Only one Buckeyes player has won the award since its inception, and that was defensive end Chase Young in 2019.

As for Downs, he led the SEC with 70 solo tackles a season ago and is at 25 through nine games with Ohio State. He has three passes defended though and has a half sack as well.

The sophomore could certainly be deserving of the award. The announcement will take place on March 14, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ohio State football’s Caleb Downs semifinalists for prestigious award

Ohio State football brought in some elite weapons this offseason, and Caleb Downs, a semifinalist for a prestigious award, was among them.

The Jim Thorpe Award is down to 15, and one of them is Caleb Downs.

Ohio State football’s Downs was named a semifinalist for the award. There were 14 other players, including Texas’ defensive back Jahdae Barron, that could win the award, which has been given to the top defensive back in college football since 1986. Trey Taylor of Air Force won the award in 2023.

There have been Buckeyes to win the award, but one is going to have to go back almost two decades for the last one. Malcolm Jenkins won it in 2008, and Antoine Winfield was the first Ohio State player to win the award in 1998. Oklahoma has the most in the history of the award with three.

As for Downs, he had a conference-high 70 solo tackles last season with Alabama before transferring to Ohio State. The Buckeyes starting defensive back has had 31 combined tackles and three passes defended this season.

He’s set to play a large role in the Buckeyes matchup this Saturday with No. 3 Penn State. In these last several weeks of the season, with key games against conference foes, Downs can really start to shine with Ohio State.