The Ohio State football program had one of the best defenses in the country in 2025. Statistically, they led in pretty much every category. Now, a lot of that talent is heading off to the NFL. Next month, several of them will be drafted to teams at the pro level.
There is a chance that the Ohio State Buckeyes have three players drafted in the top five. Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, and Sonny Styles are all possible top-five picks. Carnell Tate is also likely to be taken in the top 10, giving Ohio State potentially four players in the first ten picks taken.
Joel Klatt has seen a lot of Ohio State games over the last few years, with how many times the Buckeyes have been on Big Noon Kickoff. He believes that the Buckeyes have the single best defender in the entire draft, and it's not Reese.
Joel Klatt believes Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the best defender in the 2026 NFL Draft
While speaking on The Joel Klatt Show, Klatt believes that Downs is the single best defender in the 2026 NFL Draft. He believes his skill sets him apart from everyone else.
"I don't think there is a better pure defender in this draft. Caleb Downs is outstanding. Now, would the NFL decision-makers love to see him be a little bit bigger? Yeah, probably. But man, again, just look at the tape. Watch him play and impact the game in every single area."
Downs was the best defensive player that Ohio State had on the roster in each of the last two seasons. The Buckeyes wouldn't have beaten Texas in the 2024 Cotton Bowl without Downs making some touchdown-saving tackles. He just makes the opposing team account for where he is at all times.
Taking a safety with a top-five pick is scary for a lot of teams in the league, but Downs has the talent to be a Hall of Fame player if he is put in the right system. Whoever gets him is going to be very happy.