Ohio State's Caleb Downs Wins Nation's Top Defensive Honor Ahead of College Football Playoff
Caleb Downs, a junior safety at Ohio State, has been awarded the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the nation's top defensive back honor. The award is a testament to Downs' outstanding performance this season, where he recorded 60 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and two interceptions.
Downs' impressive resume includes a standout freshman season at Alabama in 2023, where he led the team with 107 tackles and was named SEC Freshman of the Year. He then transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season, where he became an instant defensive centerpiece, earning unanimous All-American honors and conference defensive-back awards.
The award is a significant distinction for Downs, who joins Malcolm Jenkins and Antoine Winfield as the only Buckeyes to have won the Thorpe Award. His impact on the team's success has been evident, particularly during their national championship season in 2024, where he recorded 81 total tackles, six passes defended, two interceptions, and 0.5 sacks.
With Ohio State entering the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed after a 12-1 season, Downs' health and productivity will be crucial to the team's success. The Buckeyes will face Miami or Texas A&M in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl quarterfinal on December 31, and Downs' continued dominance will likely play a significant role in their quest for another title.
The timing of the award adds to the significance of Downs' achievement, as it comes just weeks before the College Football Playoff begins. With this honor, he solidifies his status as one of the top defensive backs in college football, and his future prospects in the NFL are now even more cemented.
Caleb Downs, a junior safety at Ohio State, has been awarded the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the nation's top defensive back honor. The award is a testament to Downs' outstanding performance this season, where he recorded 60 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and two interceptions.
Downs' impressive resume includes a standout freshman season at Alabama in 2023, where he led the team with 107 tackles and was named SEC Freshman of the Year. He then transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season, where he became an instant defensive centerpiece, earning unanimous All-American honors and conference defensive-back awards.
The award is a significant distinction for Downs, who joins Malcolm Jenkins and Antoine Winfield as the only Buckeyes to have won the Thorpe Award. His impact on the team's success has been evident, particularly during their national championship season in 2024, where he recorded 81 total tackles, six passes defended, two interceptions, and 0.5 sacks.
With Ohio State entering the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed after a 12-1 season, Downs' health and productivity will be crucial to the team's success. The Buckeyes will face Miami or Texas A&M in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl quarterfinal on December 31, and Downs' continued dominance will likely play a significant role in their quest for another title.
The timing of the award adds to the significance of Downs' achievement, as it comes just weeks before the College Football Playoff begins. With this honor, he solidifies his status as one of the top defensive backs in college football, and his future prospects in the NFL are now even more cemented.
and it's crazy to see him get recognized with that Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 
. I mean, 60 tackles and 5 tackles for loss already? That's insane! 
And to think he was the SEC Freshman of the Year back in '23? He's only gotten better since transferring to Ohio State 
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. Can't have their star defender going down with an injury and messing up their chances 
. But if anyone can handle it, it's Caleb Downs! He's like a boss on the field 
. I'm predicting they're gonna take that Cotton Bowl game all the way 
He's been on fire this season, and it's no surprise he won the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. I mean, he's already an instant defensive superstar at Ohio State, and now he gets recognized nationally for it 
. His award is like the icing on the cake - he was already a standout, but now everyone knows it. With the playoffs coming up, his health and productivity will be key to Ohio State's success. Can't wait to see him crush it on December 31st 
The stats are crazy, but I wonder if anyone is gonna keep him healthy during the playoffs? I mean, we all know how quickly injuries can pop up in the NFL...
I think what's really impressive about Caleb Downs is how quickly he adapted to a new team after transferring from Alabama. It wasn't easy switching schools mid-season, but he made it look effortless. His performance this season has been phenomenal, and it's no surprise that he won the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 
His story from being a standout freshman at Alabama to becoming a key player at Ohio State is truly inspiring 
. And now, with the Buckeyes heading into the College Football Playoff, his health and productivity will be crucial to their success 
. I'm totally rooting for him to lead the team to another championship 
honestly, who needs offense when you got Caleb Downs on defense? 
60 tackles, 5 TFLs, and 2 picks is straight fire 
, but can we talk about how Ohio State's D has been so underrated all season? 
they're the real MVPs. Downs' award is a no-brainer, but it's also kinda like "of course, the star defensive back wins the top defensive award"