50 Facts About Caleb Downs

Early Life and Family Background

Caleb Downs has a rich family history in sports, which has undoubtedly influenced his journey.

1. Full Name: Caleb Downs
2. Birthplace: Hoschton, Georgia
3. Family Background: His father, Gary Downs, played college football for NC State and is now an assistant coach.
4. Uncle's Achievements: His uncle, Dré Bly, played for the North Carolina Tar Heels and had an 11-year NFL career, including being a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl XXXIV champion.
5. Brother's Career: His brother, Josh Downs, is a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts.
6. Sister’s Education: He has one sister, Kameron, who is in medical school at Wake Forest.

High School Career

Caleb's high school years were filled with accolades and impressive stats, setting the stage for his future success.

7. High School: Mill Creek High School
8. Position: Safety
9. Height: 6 feet 0 inches
10. Weight: 205 pounds
11. All-American Bowl Player of the Year: Downs was named the All-American Bowl Player of the Year as a senior.
12. Rankings: He was ranked as one of the top players in the 2023 college football recruiting class and considered the nation's No. 1 safety prospect.
13. Ratings: Ranked No. 9 nationally by Rivals.com, No. 11 by ESPN, and No. 8 by 247Sports.
14. USA Today Award: In July 2023, he was named Defensive Football Player of the Year by USA Today.

College Career at Alabama

Caleb's transition to college football was seamless, with standout performances from the start.

15. Commitment to Alabama: Downs committed to Alabama on July 27, 2022, choosing Alabama over Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.
16. Debut at Alabama: In his debut, he led the team in tackles with eight.
17. SEC Freshman of the Year: At the conclusion of his freshman season, Downs was named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
18. First-Team All-American: He earned first-team All-American honors by Pro Football Focus.
19. Second-Team All-American: Garnered second-team All-America recognition from the Associated Press and The Sporting News.
20. SEC Newcomer of the Year: Also recognized as the SEC Newcomer of the Year.
21. First-Team All-SEC: Added first-team All-SEC and Freshman All-SEC accolades from the coaches.

Transfer to Ohio State

After a successful stint at Alabama, Caleb made a significant move to Ohio State.

22. Transfer to Ohio State: Following the retirement of Nick Saban, he transferred to Ohio State in January 2024.
23. Ohio State Statistics (2024): In his first three games, he played 160 snaps, made 5 tackles, assisted on 1, had 3 stops for loss, broke up 1 pass, and allowed a QB rating of 60.4 when targeted.

High School Achievements

Caleb's high school career was marked by numerous awards and impressive statistics.

24. MaxPreps Junior All-American: Named a MaxPreps Junior All-American.
25. Region 8-AAAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year: Named the Region 8-AAAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year.
26. Senior Year Offense: Recorded 334 rush yards and 370 passing yards.
27. Senior Year Defense: Registered 66 tackles with a sack, five interceptions, and one fumble recovery.
28. Junior Year Achievements: Played both offense and defense, scoring five different ways (four rushing, two receiving, two interception returns, one kickoff return, and threw one touchdown pass).
29. Junior Year Statistics: Credited with 77 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and five interceptions.
30. Sophomore Year Achievements: Earned Sophomore All-America honors from MaxPreps.
31. Sophomore Year Statistics: Rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns, caught two passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, and racked up 57 tackles with four interceptions.
32. Freshman Year Achievements: Made five interceptions on the varsity squad.

College Statistics

Caleb's college stats reflect his impact on the field.

33. Alabama Statistics (2023): Played 14 games, 890 snaps, made 85 tackles, assisted on 24, had 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and allowed a QB rating of 89.7 when targeted.

Awards and Honors

Caleb's talent and hard work have earned him numerous awards and honors.

34. SEC Freshman of the Year: Named the SEC Freshman of the Year by the conference coaches.
35. First-Team All-American: Earned first-team All-American honors by Pro Football Focus.
36. Second-Team All-American: Garnered second-team All-America recognition from the Associated Press and The Sporting News.
37. SEC Newcomer of the Year: Recognized as the SEC Newcomer of the Year.
38. First-Team All-SEC: Added first-team All-SEC and Freshman All-SEC accolades from the coaches.

NFL Draft Profile

Caleb is considered a strong candidate for the NFL draft, with scouts praising his skills and potential.

39. Draft Profile: Downs is considered a strong candidate for the NFL draft, with scouts praising his hustle, reading skills, and physicality.
40. Scouting Report Strengths: Known for putting himself in the action when not directly involved, reading receivers' routes, covering a lot of ground, explosive movement skills, and setting a physical tone in the middle of the field.
41. Scouting Report Weaknesses: Often physically overwhelms opposing receivers early in the down, inconsistent getting off blocks, plays out of control too often, and needs to improve reading routes when sitting back as a single-high safety.
42. Overall Rank: Ranked 9.0 overall by All Scouts Average, with a position rank of 1.0.
43. Percentile Ranking: This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group.
44. Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating.

Personal Interests and Multi-Sport Background

Caleb's interests and multi-sport background have contributed to his athletic prowess.

45. Major: Majoring in sports industry at Ohio State University.
46. Multi-Sport Background: A multi-sport athlete in high school, playing basketball and baseball in addition to football.
47. Basketball Achievements: Helped Mill Creek's basketball team to the Georgia AAAAAAA State Tournament.

Family Legacy

Caleb's family has a strong legacy in sports, which has influenced his career.

48. Father’s Career: His father, Gary, played for the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Atlanta Falcons.
49. Uncle’s Achievements: His uncle, Dré Bly, was a two-time Pro Bowl selection at cornerback and a Super Bowl XXXIV champion.
50. Brother’s Current Team: His brother Josh is currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts.

Caleb Downs: A Rising Star in Football

Caleb Downs has quickly become a standout in football, from his high school days at Mill Creek to his impressive college career. His family's rich sports background, including his father Gary and uncle Dré Bly, has undoubtedly influenced his path. Downs' achievements at Alabama, like being named SEC Freshman of the Year, and his subsequent transfer to Ohio State, highlight his adaptability and skill. His stats speak volumes, with significant tackles, interceptions, and pass breakups. Scouts praise his hustle, route reading, and physicality, making him a top NFL draft prospect. Downs' journey is a testament to hard work, dedication, and talent. As he continues to shine at Ohio State, fans eagerly anticipate his future in the NFL. Caleb Downs is not just a name to watch; he's a player destined for greatness.