The Ohio State Buckeyes have been close to winning the national championship for the past five years but have never quite managed to reach the pinnacle. The biggest challenge for Ohio State football seems to be fielding a top-notch offense and defense simultaneously, as they tend to alternate between fielding one elite unit while the other is merely above average.
Right now, Ohio State has an elite offense but a passable defense. With new five-star talent on offense, they’ll be in good shape on that side of the ball for a while. However, the biggest addition this offseason may not have been a high school recruit at all. The team secured the services of a transfer safety from Alabama in January, and that acquisition could be the Buckeyes’ most important move of the entire offseason.
Let’s take a closer look at Caleb Downs and see why the defensive back from Alabama is the team’s most important transfer acquisition and how he is key to Ohio State’s defensive success.
Caleb Downs influences both the running game and the passing game
A versatile defender who can set the tone in both phases of the game, Downs is a physical safety who has no trouble making plays in the box and isn’t afraid to lay down wood and make big hits.
When it comes to setting the tone and leading the way, he has a Kam Chancellor-like presence. In Super Bowl 43 against the highly-vaunted Denver Broncos, Chancellor nearly knocked out Demaryius Thomas on a cross-route down the middle of the field early in the game.
This massive hit visibly intimidated the Broncos offense and set the tone for the game, and is a big reason why the Seahawks were able to defeat the seemingly invincible Broncos.
Downs isn’t just good at taking people down, though. He’s also a ball-hunter with outstanding range who’s comfortable in the center field role. Downs can block the middle of the field in the passing game while also moving to either side to compensate for mistakes by his team’s cornerbacks.
To continue the Seahawks comparison, Downs can play the Chancellor enforcer role in the running game and the Earl Thomas deep safety role in the passing game. Nothing to see here, folks. Downs is simply imitating the playing styles of two of the best defensive backs the NFL has seen in the last 20 years.
The Alabama Factor
Downs played last season under the tutelage of the legendary Nick Saban at Alabama. Saban is known for his defensive acumen and his players are known for their mental toughness. Saban expects them to not only perform at their best physically, but also to be able to understand the game at a high level and execute complex strategies and plays.
He demands excellence from his players both on the field and in the film room. To play for Saban, a player must understand not only the opposing offense, but the defense as well. With his experience at Alabama, Downs will be an instant leader, not only for the Buckeyes’ secondary, but for their entire defense.
He is someone who quickly takes control of the dressing room and lifts the players around him to a high level.
Memories of dominant defense mechanisms of the past
Ohio State teams of the late 2010s were known for their elite defenses that led them to wins against some of the best offenses in the country. The Buckeyes’ offense was on the upswing, but they hadn’t quite reached the dynamic status that Ohio State’s offense has achieved over the past six years.
The Buckeyes are currently good enough on offense to keep up with anyone, but their defense has too many holes and doesn’t do its job consistently enough.
If Ohio State can maintain its offensive strength and shut down opponents like it usually does, that is the recipe for lasting success.
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The team is ready to compete now, and Ohio State just needs the defense to do its part. With Downs as a stabilizing presence in the secondary, the defense is well-equipped to shut down opposing offenses.
Ohio State football has an explosive offense
Since Ohio State has an explosive offense, the only thing that keeps them from competing is their defense. Sure, Marvin Harrison Jr. is arguably the best receiver in Ohio State history and he went on to the NFL. However, the team quickly filled out the receiver room with five-star freshman Jeremiah Smith and they have several other talented players as well. The Buckeyes will be good offensively and could even have another record-setting year.
However, if they give up every point on defense, their dominant offense won’t mean much. This is where Downs can make all the difference. If he can take the defense from average to elite, Ohio State will be a real threat to any team they face.
Caleb Downs will help Ohio State football in big games
In recent years, Ohio State has struggled to win big games against tough opponents. It’s no coincidence that they’ve struggled in the College Football Playoff, where they play against opponents that can keep up with them offensively. The difference, however, is that these teams are the best of the best and often have top-notch defenses as well. Ohio State has struggled to stop them from scoring, but the Buckeyes get slowed down at times.
With Downs on the field, Ohio State will still have the edge on offense and be able to compete on defense, putting them on par with teams like Georgia and Alabama. And with that in mind, it’s clear that Caleb Downs will be Ohio State’s most impactful transfer addition.
