\n The career of one of the greatest defensive backs in Ohio State history has come to a close. <\/p>\n
\n\tSafety Caleb Downs declared for the 2026 NFL draft on Wednesday,\u00a0ending his accomplished two-year tenure with the Buckeyes after transferring from Alabama following his freshman year.\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\tDowns is a projected early first-round draft pick after racking up a combined 150 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight pass breakups\u00a0in two seasons with the Buckeyes.\u00a0The SEC Freshman of the Year in 2023, Downs made first-team All-SEC that season and first-team All-Big Ten in 2024 and 2025. He\u2019s the sixth two-time unanimous All-American<\/a> in Ohio State history after picking up that honor in both 2024 and 2025.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tMost impressively, Downs won the Jim Thorpe Award <\/a>as the nation\u2019s best defensive back during his final season. Downs was the centerpiece of the secondary for back-to-back Ohio State defenses that finished No. 1 nationally in points allowed per game.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tAssuming Downs is drafted in the first round, he\u2019ll become the first Buckeye safety taken there since 2017, when the Indianapolis Colts selected Malik Hooker 15th overall. He could be the first Ohio State safety drafted in the top 10 since Donte Whitner went 8th overall in 2006, which is the highest a Buckeye safety has ever been drafted.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tStarting strong safety Jaylen McClain is set to return and anchor Ohio State\u2019s safety room in 2026. Redshirt junior Malik Hartford, sophomore Faheem Delane and redshirt sophomore Leroy Roker III are\u00a0the top candidates among Ohio State\u2019s returning safeties to replace Downs, while the Buckeyes could also look to the transfer portal for a veteran safety to replace Downs.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tDowns is the second Ohio State player with remaining eligibility to publicly declare for the 2026 NFL draft, joining Carnell Tate<\/a>. The deadline for players to enter the NFL draft is Jan. 14.\n<\/p>\n