"Downs' dominant junior year made him far and away one of the best defensive players in all of college football. The safety won the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and also won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes excellence on and off the field."
Dallas Cowboys are approaching the start of 2026 OTAs with most major offseason moves already completed. The roster differs significantly from the same point last year, especially on the defensive side. A ranking series begins to identify the top 10 players for the 2026 season. Caleb Downs is highlighted after a standout college run at Ohio State. In 2025, Downs became a centerpiece of the Buckeyes’ defense, consistently matching up against top receivers and limiting explosive plays. His leadership and football intelligence anchored an undefeated regular season. He won major awards including the Jim Thorpe Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and unanimous First-Team All-American honors, boosting his NFL draft profile with elite instincts, physicality, and coverage ball skills.
Read at Blogging The Boys
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