Ohio State sophomore safety Caleb Downs was named a first-team All-American by Sporting News on Wednesday, making him the 34th different player in Ohio State history to earn unanimous All-American honors.
Downs was also named to a first-team All-American by The Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, The Athletic, CBS/247Sports, FWAA and Walter Camp.
Downs, who is in his first year at Ohio State after transferring in from Alabama, becomes Ohio State’s first-ever transfer to take home unanimous All-American honors. He is also the third Buckeye in as many years to earn the distinction, joining former Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. who achieved the feat in 2023 and 2022.
With one more season to play before he is eligible for the NFL Draft, the former Alabama transfer can become the sixth-ever Buckeye to become a two-time unanimous All-American selection if he decides to stay with Ohio State for his junior season. He would join an exclusive list that includes Harrison, Howard “Hop” Cassady (1945-55), Bob Ferguson (1960-61), Archie Griffin (1974-75) and Orlando Pace (1995-96).
Based on his sensational 2023 season, which included 62 tackles, 6 ½ tackles for loss, one interception, three pass breakups and a 79-yard punt return touchdown against Indiana that broke a 10-year kickoff/punt return scoring drought, there is a strong chance he can join that list if he plays up to his standards in 2024.
Downs is not the only Buckeye to be named a first-team All-American by Sporting News. Senior offensive lineman Donovan Jackson also earned the distinction, taking home the honor after an eventful regular season for the veteran that included a late-season position change from left guard to left tackle.
Jackson, who has played at left tackle since the Penn State game on Nov. 2, was also named first-team All-Big Ten for the third straight season, along with second-team All-American honors by the Associated Press and AFCA. Jackson was joined on the Sporting News All-American second-team by OSU center Seth McLaughlin, who was recently named a consensus All-American after earning first-team honors from The Associated Press, AFCA, FWAA and Walter Camp.
