Ohio State’s Caleb Downs Wins 2025 Jim Thorpe Award

Ohio State junior safety Caleb Downs has earned the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award, recognizing him as the nation’s best defensive back. The announcement came Friday night during ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards show, where Downs was selected over finalists LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore.

With this honor, Downs became the third player in Ohio State history to win the award, joining former standouts Antoine Winfield (1998) and Malcolm Jenkins (2008). His performance this season has reinforced his status as a cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ defense.

Over 13 games, Downs tallied 60 total tackles, including 40 solo stops, ranking third on the team. He also recorded five tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and a quarterback hurry. His versatility allowed him to contribute in multiple roles, playing 229 snaps as a deep safety, 210 in the box, and 135 in the slot, while allowing only 4.1 yards per target in coverage.

Downs has anchored one of the nation’s most dominant defenses. Ohio State ranks first in total defense, scoring defense, and passing yardage, while placing sixth in rushing defense. Opposing quarterbacks threw just six touchdown passes all season, with only one of 13 opponents surpassing 200 passing yards. The 12-1 Buckeyes are building on last year’s national championship run, when they finished 14-2 with the nation’s top scoring defense and No. 3-ranked pass defense.

1. Dominance and Accolades

The Jim Thorpe Award is the latest in a string of accolades for Downs this season. He repeated as the Big Ten’s Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year. Additionally, he captured the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which honors excellence on the field as well as leadership, character, academic achievement, and community involvement. Downs was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award, recognizing the nation’s top defensive player. His performance earned him first-team All-America honors across every major outlet, including Walter Camp, CBS Sports, and On3. The recognition reflects not only his statistical production but also his ability to influence games from multiple positions in the defensive backfield. Downs’ season has been defined by versatility, consistency, and leadership, cementing him as one of the nation’s premier defensive playmakers.

2. Background and Personal Profile

A former five-star signee from Alabama, Downs led the Crimson Tide with 107 tackles as a true freshman in 2023 before transferring to Ohio State following Nick Saban’s retirement in January 2024. Off the field, Downs is a Scholar-Athlete in the Fisher College of Business, majoring in real estate and urban analysis. He also comes from a football family: his older brother Josh Downs plays in the NFL, and his father, Gary, played college football at NC State before becoming a coach. Downs’ blend of talent, work ethic, and football pedigree has helped him seamlessly integrate into Ohio State’s program while providing veteran leadership. His presence has been a key factor in the Buckeyes’ dominance in the Big Ten and nationally. His leadership extends beyond the field, with teammates and coaches praising his preparation, communication, and ability to elevate the performance of those around him.

3. Looking Ahead to the Playoffs

Downs will lead Ohio State into the College Football Playoff as a No. 2 seed. The Buckeyes are set to face the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 10 Miami in the quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl on December 31. His experience and versatility will be crucial as Ohio State aims to advance deep into the postseason and defend its status as a national championship contender. With Downs anchoring the secondary, the Buckeyes’ defense remains one of the nation’s most feared units and a key component of their playoff aspirations. Downs’ ability to read offenses, make plays in coverage, and provide leadership in the secondary will be pivotal in high-pressure playoff matchups, where every turnover and tackle can swing the momentum.