Ohio State safety Caleb Downs has been named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, one of 15 players in consideration for the honor that goes to the nation’s top defensive back.
Downs has started all seven games for the Buckeyes after joining the team as a transfer from Alabama, where he played the 2023 season. So far with OSU, he has 31 total tackles, leading all Buckeye defensive backs, 5½ tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
He is coming off of a season in which he had 107 stops, 3½ for loss, two interceptions, one pass breakup a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
He is part of a defense that is eighth in passing defense, allowing just 163.1 yards per game through the air, second in total defense (254.4 yards per game) and scoring defense (11.9 points per game).
He has particularly shone in the Buckeyes’ last two games against Oregon and Nebraska, combining for 13 tackles and two tackles for loss in those two contests.
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association will announce the finalists for the award on Nov. 26.
