Each year, the Jim Thorpe Award is given out to the top defensive back in all of college football. Since 1986, nine players from the current makeup of the Big Ten have won. Ohio State is only one of two Big Ten programs with multiple winners. This year Caleb Downs is looking to join the likes of Antione Winfield (1998) and Malcolm Jenkins (2008) to help Ohio State join the ranks of LSU and Oklahoma as three-time winners.
Downs, the phenomenal safety transfer from Alabama, is up against Jahdae Barron from Texas and Malaki Starks from Georgia.
Caleb Downs Named Jim Thorpe Award Finalist
.@caleb_downs2 ➡️ @jimthorpeaward Finalist 🍿 pic.twitter.com/9gBq2I2JsN
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 26, 2024
Last year as a true freshman, Downs was one of the top defenders in college football. He became the first freshman to ever lead the Crimson Tide in tackles. Now, he’s a leader on the back end of an Ohio State defense that is one of, if not the best in the nation. In addition to being a Thorpe Award finalist, he was named as a Chuck Bednarik Award finalist.
His stats in 2024 have not been as ridiculous as they were last year. Given, he is on a bit of a better defense where he isn’t tasked with being Superman every play. Even then, he has 51 tackles, six-and-a-half tackles for loss, half of a sack, and three pass breakups. Not all stats are the same, however. In the win over Nebraska, two of his four solo tackles were touchdown-saving open-field tackles.
Ryan Day and his staff recognize the incredible athleticism of the star safety. There were rumblings about Downs taking snaps at running back. Through 11 games, those haven’t quite come to fruition. However, he has trusted him with returning punts. In the win against Indiana, Downs ripped off a 79-yard punt return touchdown at the beginning of the second half. While a punt return won’t come into consideration for the Jim Thorpe Award, it’s an impressive feat nonetheless.
Downs leads a defense that is first in points allowed, first in total offensive yards, third in rushing yards, and fourth in passing yards. He faces off against Michigan this weekend. The Wolverines beat his Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl last year and he has said that he is motivated to get the win.
