Caleb Downs

NFL Draft Profile: Caleb Downs

Position: Safety | School: Ohio State (via Alabama) | Class: Junior

Height: 6'0" | Weight: 205 lbs | Archetype: Hybrid (High-Safety / Box / Slot)

College Career Summary

Caleb Downs is widely considered a generational defensive prospect. He began his career at Alabama, where he became the first freshman in program history to lead the team in tackles (107). After transferring to Ohio State in 2024, he became the engine of the nation's #1 defense, leading the Buckeyes to a National Championship and winning the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2025.

Downs is a "chess piece" defender who has played over 1,500 collegiate snaps across every imaginable alignment. He is an elite communicator who functioned as the de facto "MIKE linebacker" in Jim Knowles' system before moving to a more NFL-style versatile role under Matt Patricia. He enters the draft with a career total of over 250 tackles, 15+ tackles for loss, and 6 interceptions.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 41 (Career)

• Total Tackles: 249 (60 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 18.5 (5.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 2.0 (1.0 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 6 (2 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 19 (6 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Texas	5 Tkl, 1 INT	A+	Star Impact. Game-sealing INT in a 14-7 slugfest.
vs. Grambling St.	2 Tkl	B	Limited snaps; played purely to maintain rhythm.
vs. Ohio	6 Tkl	B+	High Motor. Clinical pursuit angles on perimeter runs.
@ Washington	2 Tkl	B	Quiet but efficient; eliminated the deep post entirely.
vs. Minnesota	4 Tkl	B+	IQ. sniffed out three screen plays for minimal gain.
@ Illinois	9 Tkl	A	Tackling. season-high in tackles; absolute eraser in the box.
@ Wisconsin	6 Tkl, 1 INT	A	Play Recognition. Baited the QB into a "cloud" coverage pick.
vs. Penn State	5 Tkl	B+	Erased the TE for 60 minutes; physical at the point of attack.
@ Purdue	4 Tkl	B	Solid technique; led the defensive huddle with authority.
vs. UCLA	3 Tkl	B+	Technically perfect; forced three incompletions via positioning.
vs. Rutgers	3 Tkl	A-	Leadership. Directed a goal-line stand that forced a FG.
@ Michigan	3 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	A	Competitor. Emotional leader in a dominant road win.
vs. Indiana (B1G)	8 Tkl	B-	Worst Game. rare lapse in leverage on a late TD run.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Processing & IQ: Downs processes information faster than almost any safety in recent history. He frequently begins his break before the quarterback even releases the ball.

• Tackling Machine: He is a fundamentally perfect tackler. He maintains low leverage, wraps up with authority, and possesses the Hit Power to jar balls loose.

• Positional Versatility: He is equally comfortable as a single-high "centerfielder," a nickel-corner matching a slot receiver, or a box-safety filling a gap.

• Pro-Ready Leadership: A team captain who sets the culture. His father and brother's NFL experience is evident in his professional approach to film and preparation.

Weaknesses

• Man Coverage Footwork: While he has a 4.40 forty, twitchy "sub-4.3" slot receivers can occasionally give him trouble on 90-degree breaks if he doesn't get a hand on them early.

• Over-Aggression: His high-level instincts can lead to him "guessing" on double moves, though this happened less frequently in 2025.

• Functional Strength vs. OL: While he strikes ball carriers hard, he can struggle to disengage when an elite NFL offensive lineman climbs to the second level.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Interchangeable Safety in a Split-Field or Disguise-Heavy system (e.g., Ravens, Eagles, or Lions).

NFL Comparison: Minkah Fitzpatrick / Eric Berry hybrid

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 20/20 | Physical Tools: 19/20 | Attributes: 19/20 | Athleticism: 19/20 | IQ: 20/20

Final Grade: 97/100

Caleb Downs is the premier defensive prospect in the 2026 class. He is a "safe" prospect with an All-Pro ceiling. While the NFL typically devalues the safety position, Downs is a "multiplier"—he makes everyone else on the defense better by ensuring they are in the correct alignment and erasing mistakes. He is a "gold-jacket" caliber talent who will be the cornerstone of a defense for a decade.

Draft Projection: 1st Round (Top 10 Overall)