Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs took shots at the remaining Power 5 conferences, while hailing the Big Ten, which has won the last two national championships.
Last year, the Ohio State Buckeyes won the national championship by defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The year before, Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines won the Natty.
During his media availability on Wednesday, Downs gave the Big Ten an edge over the traditional powerhouse conference, the Southeastern Conference, as the best conference in all of college football.
“Whatever team wins the national championship can say whatever they want,” Downs said. “The Big Ten has won the past two years, so they can claim whatever they want to claim until somebody else takes it.”
Downs, who transferred from Alabama to Ohio State last season and helped Ryan Day win the national championship is an All-American safety.
Among all Power Five conferences, including the SEC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC, the SEC has long staked their claim over the honor. They have former Alabama coach Nick Saban and Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart to thank for that. From 2006 to 2022, 13 of the possible 17 champions have been an SEC team.
Caleb Downs recognized at Big Ten Media Days
Caleb Downs was present at Big Ten Media Days along with teammates Sonny Styles and Jeremiah Smith. All three of them were named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors team. Downs was also spotlighted as a Preseason All-American and a watchlist candidate for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation included Downs on its 2025 Preseason First Team All‑America. Some analysts even peg him as a long shot for the Heisman Trophy. Last season, Downs recorded 48 solo tackles, two interceptions and six passes defended. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and a unanimous All-American in 2024.
While talking about the upcoming season with the media, Downs said:
“I feel like there’s a hunger. We’ve worked out vigorously trying to get better, trying to better ourselves physically and mentally. Just finding ways to chop wood, carry water, push ourselves to get better at the little things every day.”
If the Buckeyes want to go back-to-back, they’ll need help of wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin taking care on offense and linebacker Sonny Style and safety Caleb Downs taking care on defense. In the early odds, Ohio State is hailed as favorite as well. It remains to be seen if Day can deliver another championship.
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