Former Ohio State football safety Caleb Downs thinks Michigan has taught their offensive linemen to intentionally hold on to players, he expressed in an episode the “Downs 2 Business” podcast March 4.
Discussing offensive line play with former Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins, Downs claimed that in general, offensive linemen hold on every play when blocking, which Judkins disagreed with.
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“They literally teach people to hold,” Downs said. “There’s people that teach to grab the back of the shoulder pads.”
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle James Smith (3) warms up during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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See highlights from first day of Ohio State spring football
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle James Smith (3) warms up during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Qua Russaw (4) warms up during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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See highlights from first day of Ohio State spring football
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day addresses his team during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, left, talks to defensive coordinator Matt Patricia during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a punt during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes running back Legend Bey (2) runs during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterbacks, from left, Justyn Martin, Julian Sayin, Tavien St. Clair and Luke Fahey drop back to pass during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterbacks, from left, Justyn Martin, Julian Sayin and Tavien St. Clair drop back to pass during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Austin Siereveld (67) puts on his helmet during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a pass during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (15) catches a pass during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (15) runs during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes co-offensive coordinator Keenan Bailey yells during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Ian Moore (69) motions during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Arthur Smith watches during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes offensive line coach Tyler Bowen talks to linemen Ian Moore and Deontae Armstrong during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Carter watches the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver De’zie Jones (8) catches a pass during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Hunter Welcing (84) catches a pass during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes running backs coach Carlos Locklyn talks to his squad of backs during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
Downs then brought up an example.
“We played Michigan this year, you watch the film,” Downs said, who then made a grabbing motion. “I’m like, bro, this is bad, bad football.”
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) high fives fans as he leaves the field following the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
Ohio State beat Michigan in the 2025-26 season 27-9.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Caleb Downs claims Michigan teaches linemen to grab shoulder pads