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Caleb Downs named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year

Spencer-Holbrookby: Spencer Holbrook12/03/24SpencerHolbrook
Caleb Downs
Ohio State DB Caleb Downs (© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs is a finalist for the Thorpe Award, given annually to the top defensive back in college football.

He was voted Tuesday as the top defensive back in the Big Ten, as well.

Yes, Downs was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year on Tuesday, a distinctive honor for the former SEC Freshman of the Year when he was at Alabama in 2023.

Caleb Downs has 62 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflections and an interception — which came last weekend in the loss to Michigan — on the season. He also has a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown to his name this year.

After playing a season at Alabama, Downs transferred to Ohio State to bolster the Buckeyes defense, and he has certainly done that. Now he’s the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, becoming the second Buckeyes player to win the award — and first since Shaun Wade in 2020.

Caleb Downs keeps adding to his impressive collection of awards as he and the Buckeyes prepare for a national title run in the College Football Playoff. At 10-2, Ohio State will be in the 12-team field when it is revealed on Sunday.

More on All-Big Ten selections from Ohio State

Ohio State isn’t playing in the Big Ten title game — again. For the fourth straight year, the Buckeyes will be watching from home. Instead of earning a rematch with Oregon, they failed to make the game after losing to Michigan.

But the league handed out its all-conference selections and awards on Tuesday, and the teams are littered with Buckeyes players.

First-team All-Big Ten players from Ohio State are:

WR Jeremiah Smith
LT/LG Donovan Jackson
C Seth McLaughlin
DE J.T. Tuimoloau
LB Cody Simon
SAF Lathan Ransom
SAF Caleb Downs

Smith was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and league wide receiver of the year.

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