Caleb Downs
Born December 10, 2004 in Hoschton, Georgia. Son of former NFL RB Gary Downs;
younger brother of WR Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts).
HIGH SCHOOL: Mill Creek HS (Hoschton, GA). Three-sport standout (football, basketball,
baseball). Named 2023 USA Today Defensive Football Player of the Year and the All-American
Bowl Player of the Year as a senior.
RECRUITING: Rivals #9 overall, ESPN #11, 247 #8 — consensus #1 safety in the 2023 class.
Committed to Alabama on July 27, 2022 over Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.
COLLEGE: At Alabama as a true freshman in 2023, led the team in tackles with 107 — the
first true freshman in Bama history to do so. Named SEC Freshman of the Year. Following Nick
Saban's retirement, transferred to Ohio State. At OSU in 2024 helped win the CFP National
Championship. **2025: won the Lott Trophy (top defensive impact player) + the Jim Thorpe
Award (top defensive back).** Declared for the 2026 draft on January 7, 2026.
DRAFT PROJECTION: Round 1 top-3. Reid's #2 overall player. Jets at #2 are the perfect fit.
No significant scouting concerns — a generational safety prospect.
Scouting Profile
Combine / Pro Day Measurables (reported)
| 40-yard dash | 4.41 |
| Vertical jump (in) | 39.0 |
| Broad jump | 10'8" |
| Bench press (225 reps) | 16 reps |
| 3-cone drill | 6.75 |
| 20-yard shuttle | 4.05 |
| Wingspan | 75.5" |
| Hand size | 9 3/8" |
Numbers compiled from NFL Scouting Combine results, Pro Day box scores, and beat-writer reports. "Reported" means cross-referenced against multiple sources; verify on nfl.com/combine for definitive marks.
College Career Stats
- 2023 Alabama (Fr): 107 tackles (led team — first true frosh in program history), 2 INT, 9 PD — SEC Freshman of the Year
- 2024 Ohio State (So): 81 tackles, 1 INT, 7 PD, CFP Champion
- 2025 Ohio State (Jr): 78 tackles, 4 INT, 11 PD — Lott Trophy + Jim Thorpe Award
Strengths
- Generational instincts — diagnoses concepts pre-snap and triggers fast
- True three-level safety: deep middle, robber, slot, box
- Pro-ready tackler — angle, form, finish
- Ball skills with high-point concentration
- Vocal leader — already a captain at OSU as a sophomore transfer
Weaknesses / Areas to Develop
- Top-end speed is good not elite (4.41 reported)
- Frame is average for the position — not a thumper in the box
- Will safety positional value cap his draft slot in the top 5?
NFL Pro Comparison
Kyle Hamilton (Ravens) — same tall, smart, three-level versatile safety with All-Pro ceiling
Outcome Range
- Floor: Multi-time Pro Bowl free safety, decade starter
- Median: Top-3 NFL safety — All-Pro level
- Ceiling: Generational Ed Reed / Earl Thomas-tier defensive cornerstone
Scheme Fit
Cover-3/quarters base with frequent disguise — perfect for a Spagnuolo / Macdonald / Fangio scheme that uses safety as a chess piece
Pre-Draft Visits
Top-30 visits with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Cincinnati Bengals
Signature College Game
2025 CFP semifinal vs Texas: 12 tackles, 2 PD, INT — locked down Ewers in a 14-7 OSU win
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