Caleb Downs Named Lott IMPACT Trophy Finalist
Downs has been one of the top defenders in college football ever since stepping on the field as a true freshman at Alabama. In 2023, he led the Crimson Tide with 107 tackles with three-and-a-half tackles for loss, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions. When Nick Saban retired, he jumped into the transfer portal and found a new home at Ohio State.
Last year, Downs continued developing as an elite defender. On the year, he finished with 82 tackles with seven-and-a-half tackles for loss, a half sack, six pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions. He also added a punt return touchdown in the win over Indiana. While leading the Buckeyes to a national title, Downs was named the Big Ten’s Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year. Nationally, Downs was a unanimous first-team All-American and was a finalist for the Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
This season, it has been more of the same. One of the surest tacklers in the country, Downs’ impact is rarely illustrated on the statsheet. In terms of counting stats through 11 games, Downs has 49 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, a pass breakup, and two interceptions.
Downs is also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award, and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, in addition to being a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy.
If Downs were to win the Lott IMPACT Award, he would be the second Buckeye to do so, joining James Laurinaitis (2008).
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