With a freshman All-American season at Alabama that almost lived up to the hype surrounding his five-star, top-10 prospect numbers, Caleb Downs committed to OSU via the transfer portal on Friday night. The Buckeyes lost a close recruitment battle to the greatest coach in history, which prevented them from having that incredible first season.
After Nick Saban retired, Downs made the decision to go to Columbus a year later than planned. While there are still some unresolved issues regarding OSU’s offense, the only one regarding defense is whether this team will be able to compete with Georgia’s 2021 club for the title of greatest in recent memory of the sport.
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It gets harder to explain this defense without exaggeration with every addition and comeback. On the back end of a defense already loaded with future NFL players, Ohio State benched a player who was widely considered to be a first-round selection.
Downs was not necessary for the secondary to succeed the next season. Out of the eight defensive starters, seven made a comeback after considering the NFL Draft. There may not be a team on the schedule that is as talented as Michigan, who defeated OSU by more than two touchdowns the previous season.
Dominance becomes the standard expectation with Downs. The Buckeyes’ previous season’s actions weren’t too dissimilar. Downs was keeping busy for the SEC winners, who forced national champion Michigan into OT in their playoff quarterfinal, while they were located several hundred miles to the south.
One of the few spots where OSU did not return a starter was free safety, where Downs played for Alabama. Malik Hartford, who impressed as a true freshman, Josh Proctor, who finished his eligibility with a solid sixth season, and Ja’Had Carter, who was in his second season after transferring from Syracuse, were all anticipated to contend for that slot. However, Hartford did not appear in the same manner as Downs. He topped all rookies in tackles with 107. He also contributed two interceptions and three pass breakups. In addition, Pro Football Focus selected him a first-team All-American and credited him with 13 coverage stops, which ranked fifth nationally.
Downs, who stands 6-0 and 203, is physically powerful and has amazing range. In high school, he played a variety of offensive positions, including quarterback. His willingness and ability to engage in the run are demonstrated by his tackle totals, but he has also been a playmaker.
There are significant athletic ancestry lines. Gary, his father, was a running back for six seasons in the NFL. Dre Bly, his uncle, played cornerback in the Pro Bowl twice. Josh, his brother, had a rookie campaign with the Colts that saw him accumulate 771 yards and two scores.
Because it is the free safety’s job to modify the alignment in response to the offensive formations, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles calls him the adjuster in his scheme. Given his skill set and background, OSU may have a strong candidate for each of the three starting safety positions.
For a third season, Lathan Ransom is back as the primary bandit (Knowles’ reliable safety). He is a contender to be the hardest player on the field in terms of strength per unit. Ransom already appears to be a pro, eager to deliver huge hits but also excellent in covering against larger opponents.
Jordan Hancock still possesses the covering ability to play cornerback, where he started his career. He did, however, also shown that he is physically capable of playing the run and that he can handle the nickel duties. Up until Ransom’s late-season injury forced Styles to become a bandit, he and Sonny Styles shared that role.
Maybe Knowles determines that a different time-sharing arrangement at nickel yields the best outcomes, but it would entail assigning two of the top 11 defensive players to a part-time role. OSU may be free to move Styles to linebacker, where his 6-4, 230-pound build won’t require much extra bulk, if they add Downs.
Encircling all of the above were cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun, making this already a strong candidate for the greatest secondary in the country. Last season, Ohio State finished second in the country in terms of opponent quarterback rating and allowed the fewest yards per pass attempt. There was one more touchdown pass allowed than the joint leaders, Michigan and Notre Dame, with nine.
And Downs may be this defense’s best player right now. Given that this defensive line may be the finest in the country, some of the Buckeyes up front may take issue with that. Burke might also take issue.
But when spring practice gets underway, they’ll all have to show it after what Downs did in his rookie year.
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