Caleb Downs has emerged as a standout defender for Ohio State, showcasing his skills over the past two seasons. Recently, he was honored as one of four finalists for the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy. This award recognizes the top defensive player in college football.
Notable Finalists
In addition to Downs, other finalists include:
- Leonard Moore (Notre Dame, cornerback)
- Cashius Howell (Texas A&M, defensive end)
- Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech, linebacker)
Caleb Downs’ Impressive Season
Downs has had a spectacular third season, contributing significantly in ten games. His stats include:
- 46 total tackles
- 4 tackles for loss
- 2 interceptions
- 1 pass breakup
He has been targeted 32 times in passing plays but only allowed 134 receiving yards. This results in an impressive average of 4.2 yards per target. For context, the worst passing offense in the NCAA, UMass, averages 4.6 yards per attempt.
Versatile Role in Defense
This season, Downs has showcased his versatility. His playtime is distributed as follows:
- 173 snaps at free safety
- 156 snaps in the box
- 103 snaps in the slot
His dynamic presence makes him a key player in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s strategy. Ohio State currently boasts the best defense in the nation, allowing just 5.1 yards per pass attempt. Furthermore, they lead in scoring defense at 7.5 points allowed per game and total defense, yielding 212.6 yards on average.
Looking Ahead
Caleb Downs has also received recognition as a unanimous All-American and is a Thorpe Award finalist in 2024. He will discover the outcomes of the Nagurski Trophy and the Thorpe Award during the College Football Awards show, set for December 12.
