Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The safety announced Wednesday that he would forego his senior season. The announcement was a foregone conclusion. Downs is considered a top-10 pick and could even be the first defensive back taken in the draft.
“Wearing the scarlet and gray means committing to excellence and chasing the ultimate goal,” Downs wrote. “Being part of a team that brought a national championship home is something I will always be proud of. Competing for Ohio State these past two years, alongside my teammates, and upholding this tradition has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
In Yahoo Sports’ latest mock draft, Charles McDonald and Nate Tice had Downs go No. 9 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs as the second defensive back taken.
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Downs played two years at Ohio State after transferring from Alabama following Nick Saban’s retirement after the 2023 season. He was an immediate starter for the Crimson Tide after being a five-star recruit, and led the Crimson Tide with 107 tackles while also grabbing two interceptions.
At Ohio State, he anchored a defense that helped lead the Buckeyes to a national title a season ago. Despite losing to Oregon and Michigan in the regular season, Ohio State won the first 12-team playoff with its national title game victory over Notre Dame.
Downs had 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two picks a season ago and was named an All-American. This season, he was a back-to-back All-American selection and finished ninth in the Heisman voting with 68 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
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He helped lead a defense that allowed fewer than 10 points per game. Miami beat Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl and, thanks to the help of a Keionte Scott pick-6, became the first team to score more than 16 points on Ohio State all season.