There were no greater Buckeyes than Caleb Downs and Joy Dunne this past school year.
The football standout and women’s hockey star were named Ohio State Athletes of the Year this week. The award recognizes Downs and Dunne’s impact on the field and ice and in their locker rooms in 2025-26.
.@OhioStAthletics Men’s Athlete of the year Our very own, @calebdowns pic.twitter.com/ggHDWGToIu
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) June 22, 2026
Our 2026 @OhioStAthletics ❗
— Ohio State Women's Hockey (@OhioStateWHKY) June 22, 2026
Congrats, @joyv_dunne! #GoBucks | https://t.co/2vtmz7qAGs pic.twitter.com/JREQv0eF43
Downs wrapped one of the most decorated careers in Ohio State football history this past season, finishing his two years in Columbus as a national champion, two-time unanimous All-American and winner of both the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. He was also named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Back of the Year, joining Mike Doss (2002) as the only safety in conference history to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Downs finished his college career with 257 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He was selected No. 11 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dunne dominated on NCAA and Olympic ice this past year, recording 51 points (27 goals) for Ohio State’s national runner-up team while also helping Team USA win Olympic gold in Milan-Cortina. Dunne became just the second player in program history to lead Ohio State in scoring in three straight seasons and was the youngest member of the American Olympic squad.
As Ohio State Athletes of the Year, Downs and Dunne will now be placed on ballots for Big Ten Athlete of the Year honors, with conference winners to be announced in July.
Photos: Amber Searls and Mark J. Rebilas of Imagn Images
