Caleb Downs Featured Among Top-8 Defensive Stars for 2024.
Caleb Downs, a sophomore cornerback, has high expectations for his debut season with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The former
Alabama Crimson Tide star was named one of Bleacher Report’s projected top-eight defensive stars for 2024, alongside several
other excellent players. Downs entered the transfer portal following the retirement of long-time Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, choosing to spend the upcoming season with the Buckeyes.
“Downs amassed a Bama-best 107 tackles as a true freshman, holding down the back end of a top-25 defense,” the list’s author,
David Kenyon, stated. “He also grabbed two interceptions, broke up four passes and forced a fumble as the Crimson Tide
recovered from an early loss to win the (Southeastern Conference) and make the (College Football Playoff).”
Downs was a welcome addition to the Ohio State defensive team, which has returned the majority of its top players from last
season. This year, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will have a large array of weapons, including Downs.
“Ohio State has a star-studded unit thanks to the return of NFL-eligible players J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer and Denzel Burke,”
Kenyon said in a press release. “Truthfully, I could highlight any of them and immediately justify it. But, between the transfer
focus and his 2023 play, Downs is the Buckeyes’ most important defender to know.”
Downs will play in Ohio Stadium, better known as “The ‘Shoe,” for the first time on Saturday, April 13, during the annual Spring
Game. Downs will then have a few months to prepare for the regular season, which begins for the Buckeyes at home against the Akron Zips on Saturday, August 31.
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