NFL GMs stunned by Caleb Downs performance (and the comps are wild)

The college football season just got underway, which means we're months away from even the start of NFL Draft excitement, but some impressive scouting reports are already coming out about Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

One anonymous quote, per NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, has a sizzling comparison to two former NFL legends: "There's some Earl Thomas and Eric Berry to him. Just a special, special player."

Schultz posted his survey of NFL general managers who were on hand to watch the season-opening showdown between two contenders for the national title, Ohio State and Texas. The Longhorns ended up falling to the Buckeyes by a final score of 14-7, and Downs was part of a stifling defensive performance for OSU.

OSU star safety Caleb Downs is getting all the right pro comparisons.

That Downs would profile as a mix of Thomas and Berry is about as high a compliment as a safety can receive. Thomas was a semi-finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past year in his first year of eligibility. The seven-time Pro Bowler is a member of the NFL's 2010s All-Decades team and was a first-round pick at No. 14 overall himself.

Berry needs no introduction as a Chiefs defensive legend. The former Tennessee star was considered as pro-ready as a college player can be for the NFL, which is why former Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli selected him at No, 5 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft—setting a new mark for the highest a safety has ever been selected.

While Berry struggled to stay healthy through his NFL career, and even lost a season due to a battle with Hodgkins lymphoma, he still earned three first-team All-Pro nods and went to five Pro Bowls. His return from cancer earned him Comeback Player of the Year in 2015 and is one of the NFL's most heartening stories ever.

Downs was an All-American safety as a sophomore one year ago for the Buckeyes after transferring from Alabama the previous season. Downs had 6 pass deflections, 8 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions in '24. Downs had 5 total tackles on Saturday against the Longhorns.

Interestingly enough, two of Dane Brugler's top five prospects on his 2026 big board for next year's draft are Downs and Texas quarterback Arch Manning, two of the prime stars on display in Saturday's matchup.