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Ohio State Reacts to Caleb Downs News on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 4:20 PM ET

Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs is fresh off a stellar season in 2024, helping the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff national championship title in his first season with the program.

Downs transferred to Columbus following his freshman season with the Alabama Crimson Tide. The former five-star recruit recorded 82 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions and six passes defended through 16 game appearances.

Downs now enters his third college football season as one of the best players in the nation. And on Wednesday, the 20-year-old safety was recognized for his 2025 potential.

Downs was named to the preseason watchlist for the Jim Thorpe Award — a trophy recognizing the country's best defensive back. He was named alongside his Buckeyes teammate Davison Igbinosun.

The Ohio State football program reacted to this news with a post on social media.

.@jimthorpeaward Preseason Watch List
@caleb_downs2 x @DaveIgbinosun pic.twitter.com/1Yb1kO0iE1
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) July 30, 2025

This marks Downs' second preseason honor of the week. On Tuesday, he was named on the preseason watchlist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy — an award recognizing the nation's top defensive player. He was named alongside his Ohio State teammate Sonny Styles.

Downs and the Buckeyes will kickoff their 2025 regular-season campaign with a highly-anticipated matchup against the Texas Longhorns on Aug. 30. Steve Sarkisian's team also features two Jim Thorpe Award hopefuls: Michael Taaffe and Manny Muhammad.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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