COLUMBUS, Ohio — What is Caleb Downs’ attitude when he intercepts a pass? What is he like when he returns a punt? And when he carries the ball out of the backfield?
The answer is simple.
“Score a goal,” he said.
The Ohio State football team has a safety with the mentality of an offensive playmaker. Maybe that’s because he could be one.
Coach Ryan Day mentioned during the offseason that Downs might be a running back this year, and it’s obvious that wasn’t a ruse.
“I definitely take it seriously,” Downs said, before mentioning 10 snaps per game as the ideal amount.
Ohio State has different expectations than many other college football teams, and the key to potentially reaching that pinnacle for the first time in a decade lies with the transfer from Alabama.
That’s because Ohio State – other than his friend and Colorado defensive back Travis Hunter – might have a player who is unique in the sport.
“Physically, he can do it all,” said Matt Guerrieri, OSU’s safety coach. “He can guard. He can drop into the box and play physical. He can play deep. He can play man coverage. He can play zone defense. He can blitz. He’s versatile in that regard, but what sets him apart is his mentality.”
“He is unique. His level of preparation is second to none. He sees it from a coach’s perspective. He has to have one of the best football minds in the world. He is a very special guy.”
How Ohio State got Caleb Downs
Downs led Alabama with 107 tackles last year and was named SEC Freshman of the Year, but decided to leave the Crimson Tide following Nick Saban’s retirement.
A flood of coaches awaited them, wanting to add this dynamic safety to their respective squads.
“It was like recruiting on steroids,” said the former five-star prospect.
Ohio State’s field offered many appealing elements.
These included national title ambitions, a clear vision for his role in defense from coordinator Jim Knowles, and obvious NIL opportunities (Downs already has contracts with American Eagle and Rhoback).
“I wouldn’t change anything,” Downs said. “If you know how to handle it and rely on the things that are stable in your life, you can handle it pretty well.”
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What Ohio State gets in Caleb Downs
Guerrieri says one of his first projects with Downs was to watch each of his snaps from last season. When videos are viewed, there is usually an overlay on the screen showing the defensive calls on a particular play.
Guerrieri didn’t have that because the downs plays were coming from a different program. Instead, they could only see time, score, down and distance.
It didn’t matter.
“The game came up and he was able to tell me the defensive decision and what was happening in the game before the film even started,” Guerrieri said. “That’s from a year ago. That’s pretty special.”
This is not the result of a photogenic memory.
“It’s just instincts for the game,” Downs said. “The more you’re in the game and the more you watch, the better you can remember the play instead of reacting to the play when it happens.”
Signing a player and mind of Downs’ caliber has obvious benefits.
Add that to a roster loaded with top-tier talent, and it’s clear why Ohio State’s defense is expected to do more than be among the best in 2024.
“We can be one of the best defenses ever in this game,” Downs said.
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