Caleb Downs
Dallas CowboysOur College Grade
How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.
College Production
Alabama · SEC
| Season | Tkl | TFL | Sacks | Hur | PD | INT | Pos Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 107 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 2024 | 81 | 8 | 0.5 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 26 |
| 2025 | 68 | 5 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 161 |
The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.
Scouting Report
Ohio State · 2026 draft class
Caleb Downs is the total package at safety-a prospect with elite instincts, positional versatility, and championship-level maturity that makes him the defensive equivalent of a franchise quarterback. Football excellence flows through his bloodline as the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs and nephew of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Dre Bly. The former 5-star recruit burst onto the scene at Alabama in unprecedented fashion, becoming the first freshman in Crimson Tide history to lead the team in tackles (107) while earning Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year honors. After transferring to Ohio State following Nick Sabans retirement, Downs proved his freshman success was no fluke, posting 82 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 2 interceptions, and 6 pass deflections while playing every possible role a safety can handle in the Buckeyes pro-style defense. At 6-0, 205 pounds, he combines cornerback-caliber movement skills with linebacker physicality-tackling with controlled violence and technical precision while breaking down in space with impeccable balance. His communication skills and football IQ allow him to function as the quarterback of the secondary, making him an immediate culture-changer who raises the confidence and IQ of an entire defensive unit.
Strengths
- Elite football IQ that translates film study into on-field success
- already plays like an NFL veteran in processing and anticipation
- Cornerback-caliber movement skills and fluidity in man coverage
- can match up with tight ends and slot receivers
- Explosive on the attack with rare scraping ability to get off blocks
- pristine tackling form with infallible angle IQ
- Tackles with controlled violence and technical precision
- breaks down in space with impeccable balance
- Ultimate chess piece versatility-played every possible safety role including deep half
- robber
Concerns
- Will drop his head and eyes when making tackle attempts at times
- leaving him vulnerable to whiffing on elusive runners
- Sideline-to-sideline range can appear questionable against outside zone concepts
- aggressive style leads to occasional over-pursuit
- Smaller frame at 6-0
- 205 pounds limits effectiveness as a pure box defender against bigger backs and tight ends
- Can take poor pursuit angles when playing aggressively
- though his athleticism usually compensates
- Production dipped slightly in 2025 (60 tackles
- 2 INTs) compared to prior seasons
Honors
Unanimous All-American (2024); Big Ten Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year (2024); Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year (2023); First-Team All-Big Ten (2024); 5-star recruit; First freshman to lead Alabama in tackles