The Ohio State football team had one of the best players in college football last year on the defensive side of the ball in Caleb Downs. Downs is one of the best defensive players that the Buckeyes have ever had. He won the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in the country.
Now, Downs is set to be one of the top picks in the NFL Draft. For most draft analysts, Downs is listed as the best defensive prospect in the draft. There are a lot of people who think that Downs is a generational draft prospect at the safety position.
Downs can do it all on the defensive side of the ball. Not only can he cover well in the secondary in the pass game, but he can also be an eraser in the run game. While at the NFL Combine, Downs talked to the media and gave a warning to teams that pass on him.
Ohio State football star Caleb Downs sends careful warning to teams passing on him
Downs was asked if he thought taking a safety that high in the draft is good positional value. Downs replied with some strong statements.
Caleb Downs when asked about the positional value of taking a safety high in the draft:
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) February 26, 2026
“At the end of the day, it’s about who’s the best defender.”
Reporter, “Are you the best defender?”
“Yeah.” pic.twitter.com/OBlQPjcX2Z
Downs also relayed why he believes he is the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
"I mean, my confidence level is always at the highest when I'm on the field, and the belief in myself never goes down, no matter the circumstance. I feel like my mind puts me above a lot of people in terms of how I process that game. I play with instincts, and that's what makes me special."
In that answer, Downs is clearly giving some NFL teams a warning about passing him. He is saying that if a team passes up on him, they will regret it because he is the best overall prospect in the draft. He will certainly make any team that passes up on him regret doing so.