Caleb Downs shined bright for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024, leading the team to a national championship victory.
Now, there have been conversations about Downs — if he were eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft — being ahead of top safeties Jahdae Barron and Malaki Starks. Even ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller nodded his head in agreement.
Caleb Downs Is Seemingly Better Than Jahdae Barron and Malaki Starks
Downs’ versatility and football IQ helped the Buckeyes have the best defense in college football. The best part for Ohio State fans? He’ll back in 2025.
Miller recently voiced his opinion about Barron being a better prospect than Starks. Miller talked about how he shared this opinion with a fellow media member but also decided to talk about it on social media.
“I said this to a fellow media member at practice today, but sharing here: Based on 2024 tape, Jahdae Barron is a better prospect than Malaki Starks,” Miller wrote.
Sidelines Sports Network’s Alec Elijah asked Miller’s opinion on Downs being ahead of Barron and Starks in the NFL Draft rankings. Miller shockingly gave a one-word response to this.
“Would Caleb Downs go before both if he was eligible?” Elijah asked.
“Yes,” Miller replied.
Even College Football Network placed Downs ahead of Barron and Starks in an all-eligible 2025 Mock Draft. Barron ended up winning the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024 over Downs and Starks, who were both finalists. Still, the consensus suggests that Downs is a better defensive player than him.
Caleb Downs Gets Vocal About His Choice of Moving to Colombus
After Nick Saban announced his retirement in January 2024, Downs wanted to see the direction the Alabama Crimson Tide went with their next head coach.
However, he ultimately decided to leave Tuscaloosa for Columbus after just one collegiate season.
Downs also pointed out on College Football Playoff National Championship media day that the main reason he committed to Alabama was to play under the tutelage of Saban. Later, in the same conference, he also mentioned the time when he decided to leave the program.
“I didn’t know right away that I was going to hit the portal,” Downs said. “I tried to give every opportunity to stay. I stayed for like an extra like six days, five days, just to feel out the new coaching staff, see who they were going to hire and see if I could stay, because at that time I didn’t really want to leave, and I wanted to stick to my choice that I made in high school to stay there. And it didn’t turn out that way.”
KEEP READING: Downs Gets Real on Nick Saban’s Retirement Before Making His Ohio State Move
Now, Downs has become a centerpiece in Ohio State’s defense and is eyeing a second College Football Playoff National Championship in the upcoming season.
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