In a stunning twist that has shaken the college football world, Caleb Downs—
the nation’s top safety and one of the most coveted recruits in the 2025 class—has committed to Ohio State University. Downs, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound phenom from Hoschton, Georgia, chose the Buckeyes over traditional powerhouses Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan, marking a significant win for head coach Ryan Day and Ohio State’s recruiting efforts.
Downs was previously regarded as a lock for Alabama, where he earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2023 before entering the transfer portal following Nick Saban’s retirement. His decision to leave Alabama stunned many in the college football community, but his choice of Ohio State over other elite programs has truly sent shockwaves through the sport.
Known for his elite ball-hawking ability, physical tackling, and high football IQ, Downs instantly bolsters Ohio State’s secondary and brings leadership and SEC-tested experience to a team poised to make a national title run. His addition gives the Buckeyes a major edge in both recruiting momentum and defensive capability.
Ohio State was already enjoying a strong recruiting cycle, having recently secured commitments from other top defensive backs, including four-star safety Faheem Delane—the No. 2 safety in the class. With the addition of Downs, the Buckeyes now boast arguably the best secondary group in the 2025 recruiting class and are trending toward finishing with the No. 1 class in the nation.
This commitment also signals a potential power shift in college football. As the SEC continues to dominate the landscape, Ohio State’s ability to lure away elite talent from the South shows that the Big Ten powerhouse is not just surviving in the NIL and transfer portal era—it’s thriving.
With the 2025 season on the horizon, all eyes will be on the Buckeyes to see how this revamped defense performs. But one thing is clear: with Caleb Downs in scarlet and gray, Ohio State just became a lot scarier on Saturdays.