There’s A Glut Of Talent In Columbus”: College Football Analyst Predicts Ohio State Buckeyes Caleb Downs To Win Bednarik Award
Glenn KaplanBy Glenn KaplanMay 19, 2025No Comments3 Mins Read
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Buckeyes Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
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The Ohio State Buckeyes won the National Championship during the 2024 college football season. Despite all of the talent that left from that team, Ohio State returns wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs for the 2025 college football season.
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August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates after sacking Akron Zips quarterback Ben Finley (10) during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.
During the 2024 season, Downs was one of the best defensive backs in college football. Also, the winner of the Bednarik Award (best defensive player) was Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter. Downs is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Can the Buckeyes star safety be the defensive player in the country during the 2025 college football season?
CBS Sports Writer Predicts Ohio State Buckeyes Safety Caleb Downs To Win Bednarik Award Next Season
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Tyler Walton, left, laughs with Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2), wide receiver Bryson Rodgers (13) and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
Will Backus of cbssports.com predicted some award winners for the upcoming 2025 college football season. The season doesn’t begin for another few months, but Backus is already predicting who will win the Bednarik Award next season in college football. He thinks that the Buckeyes star safety is going to win the award next college football season.
Backus said,
“If you haven’t noticed, there’s a glut of talent in Columbus. Downs doesn’t boast the counting stats one would expect from a player with so much hype — he finished the 2024 season with 48 tackles and two interceptions — but that’s because opposing offenses know not to test him. Given all that Ohio State has to replace defensively 2025, Downs should be more of a leader and focal point. That also means he’ll put up some big numbers while running all over the field for the Buckeyes. “
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Downs is 6’0″ and weighs 205 lbs. During the 2024 college football season with Ohio State, he recorded 81 tackles, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions, and six pass deflections. Downs will have a chance to show to NFL scouts early and often in college football games next season that he is one of the best defensive players in the country.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
