The Ohio State Buckeyes snagged Caleb Downs out of the transfer portal as he played his freshman season with the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the addition was arguably among the most impactful in all of college football.
Downs hasn’t had many of the stats to back up his accolades, but the impact he’s had for one of the best secondaries in the nation speaks for itself, especially considering how the Buckeyes held Penn State to just 150 passing yards in a road win which they allowed just six offensive points.
That said, Downs was listed as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented to the best defensive player in college football. It is judged by the Maxwell Football Club.
🏈 @OhioStateFB ’s @caleb_downs2 has been named a #BednarikAward Semifinalist!
🏆 VOTE FOR CALEB NOW with the link: https://t.co/lHOMzCpeIp pic.twitter.com/3FLtxNNEwk
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) November 12, 2024
The award was first given out to Pat Fitzgerald in 1995. Only one Buckeyes player has won the award since its inception, and that was defensive end Chase Young in 2019.
As for Downs, he led the SEC with 70 solo tackles a season ago and is at 25 through nine games with Ohio State. He has three passes defended though and has a half sack as well.
The sophomore could certainly be deserving of the award. The announcement will take place on March 14, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
