Ohio State's defense is arguably the best in the country. Bringing in Matt Patricia to be the defensive coordinator looks like a stroke of genius.
But while Patricia looks like he'll certainly be a finalist for the Broyles Award (top assistant coach in college football), there's no question that Caleb Downs is the undisputed head coach of the defense on the field. The junior is playing at an All-American level again and setting the example for his teammates. Ryan Day said that Downs' leadership is what separates him from the rest.
Good stuff from Ryan Day here on Buckeye corners Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Davison Igbinosun, who he said lift him up with their energy every day.
— Dillon Davis (@DillonDavis56) October 15, 2025
Day then starts talking about everything Caleb Downs has meant to the defense, and why he’s the best in the country. pic.twitter.com/ZEwDjtivN0
"To me, Caleb is the man that makes it all happen. We all see what Caleb does on the field, but a big part of the success that we have is Caleb's presence on the field. Communicating, getting everybody on the same page and building confidence around him. That's probably one of the things that maybe has gone unrecognized a little bit," Day said.
What makes Caleb Downs a special player?
The on-field performance seems obvious at this point. Sometimes it feels like Downs is covering every part of the field. He has 28 tackles with a couple of tackles for loss and an interception. Opposing offenses identify where he is coming out of the huddle and they make a plan to work in the other direction.
Don’t throw to the flats against Ohio State when Caleb Downs is around … he’ll send your receiver to the shadow realm pic.twitter.com/f0ISLpFMqO
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) October 11, 2025
But Day said that Downs' impact goes far deeper than simply tackles and passes defended. He has also made sure that the younger guys on the defense are playing at a high level and playing with confidence.
"When you take somebody like Caleb and when you take a guy like [linebacker Sonny Styles], who have played and can lead and communicate and build confidence in the guys around them, those are all the things you don't see.Buckeyes coach Ryan Day
"
Where is Downs expected to go in the 2026 NFL Draft?
If Downs decides to leave Ohio State after this season, and that's an almost certainty, he is widely considered a first-round pick in nearly any mock draft. ESPN's Jordan Reid has Downs being selected fifth overall by the Miami Dolphins, while PFF has him going 12th to the Dallas Cowboys.
That sounds like a good range for Downs. He's almost a lock to be selected in the first half of the first round and likely somewhere in the top 10.