The career of one of the greatest defensive backs in Ohio State history has come to a close.
Safety Caleb Downs declared for the 2026 NFL draft on Wednesday, ending his accomplished two-year tenure with the Buckeyes after transferring from Alabama following his freshman year.
Downs is a projected early first-round draft pick after racking up a combined 150 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight pass breakups in two seasons with the Buckeyes. The SEC Freshman of the Year in 2023, Downs made first-team All-SEC that season and first-team All-Big Ten in 2024 and 2025. He’s the sixth two-time unanimous All-American in Ohio State history after picking up that honor in both 2024 and 2025.
Most impressively, Downs won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back during his final season. Downs was the centerpiece of the secondary for back-to-back Ohio State defenses that finished No. 1 nationally in points allowed per game.
Assuming Downs is drafted in the first round, he’ll become the first Buckeye safety taken there since 2017, when the Indianapolis Colts selected Malik Hooker 15th overall. He could be the first Ohio State safety drafted in the top 10 since Donte Whitner went 8th overall in 2006, which is the highest a Buckeye safety has ever been drafted.
Starting strong safety Jaylen McClain is set to return and anchor Ohio State’s safety room in 2026. Redshirt junior Malik Hartford, sophomore Faheem Delane and redshirt sophomore Leroy Roker III are the top candidates among Ohio State’s returning safeties to replace Downs, while the Buckeyes could also look to the transfer portal for a veteran safety to replace Downs.
Downs is the second Ohio State player with remaining eligibility to publicly declare for the 2026 NFL draft, joining Carnell Tate. The deadline for players to enter the NFL draft is Jan. 14.
