Ohio State star Caleb Downs tells the lesson he learned from winning a National Championship with the Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes finally got over the hump last season with Ryan Day capturing his first National Championship. Now, that team full of seniors is set to look a lot different in 2025. A bunch of former Buckeyes will hear their names called in the NFL draft just over three weeks away. Though the […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes finally got over the hump last season with Ryan Day capturing his first National Championship.
Now, that team full of seniors is set to look a lot different in 2025. A bunch of former Buckeyes will hear their names called in the NFL draft just over three weeks away.
Though the team will look a lot different this next season, some parts will stay the same. Ohio State returns its two best players, Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs. Having Downs back on defense, specifically, is going to be huge for a unit that replaces the majority of its starters.
Downs spoke to the media on Monday and the soon-to-be junior has the perfect approach to the 2025 season coming off of a National Championship.
“The lesson learned is you have to continue to work,” Downs stated at the start of the week. “Last year we continued to stack bricks and get better every day. I think that’s why we came out to be where we were. You have to push to be exceptional every day. It’s not really helping if you’re just looking at stuff from last year. This spring has been good for that because we are turning a new leaf and we have new faces around here. We’ve got to make plays with who we have.”
Downs has been limited a bit this spring with what Day called a nagging injury, though he didn’t go into specifics. Still, it seems minor and the Buckeyes are likely just being careful with their star talent.
Last season with the Buckeyes, Downs was an All-American with 82 tackles, two interceptions, and a half sack. The star safety was especially good for the defense down the stretch run and through the College Football Playoff. Downs and Ransom paired together to create the best safety duo in the country.
In 2025 it is Jaylen McClain who could have a big role opposite of Downs. Malik Hartford is another name to watch out for and freshman Faheem Delane should see playing time as depth as well.
Some new names will arise for the Buckeyes just like every season. The 2025 team hasn’t accomplished anything yet and Downs is well aware of that. A leader mindset one would say.
Ryan Day provides brief update that Ohio State S Caleb Downs is dealing with a ‘nagging injury’
An injury for Ohio State’s top defender.
