Caleb Downs didn’t just make an impact at Ohio State - he left a legacy. After transferring in, he quickly became the heartbeat of a Buckeyes defense that powered its way to a national championship in 2024.
His instincts, range, and physicality in the secondary earned him the Jim Thorpe Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top defensive back. And now, as he prepares for the 2026 NFL Draft, Downs is positioned as not just the best safety in the class - he’s one of the top overall prospects, period.
That’s a rare distinction for a safety, a position that often gets undervalued in draft rooms. But Downs is different.
He changes games. Whether it’s erasing deep routes, flying downhill to blow up a screen, or quarterbacking a defense from the back end, he’s the kind of player who forces coordinators to scheme around him.
That’s why he’s projected to go in the top five - a lofty spot for any defensive back, let alone a safety.
And it’s why teams like the New York Giants are paying close attention.
With John Harbaugh now at the helm in New York, the Giants are entering a new era - one that could begin with a cornerstone defensive pick. Harbaugh, who spent years coaching elite defenses in Baltimore, knows the value of a great safety. He was asked recently about Downs on The Mike Francesa Podcast, and his response was telling.
“Big fan,” Harbaugh said. “You mentioned Brian Dawkins.
I got a chance to coach him, so we favor Hall of Fame safeties. If we have the chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me.”
That’s high praise - and not just lip service. Harbaugh knows what Hall of Fame-caliber safeties look like.
He coached Dawkins in Philadelphia, and he built his Ravens defenses around players like Ed Reed and Eric Weddle. If Downs ends up in New York, he’d be stepping into a system that knows how to maximize his skill set.
Of course, Downs isn’t the only Buckeye drawing attention at the top of the draft. Fellow Ohio State standout Arvell Reese is also in the conversation for the No. 1 pick, giving the Buckeyes a dominant presence in the early first-round picture. But Downs brings a unique value - he’s a tone-setter, a leader, and a playmaker who can anchor a defense from Day 1.
If the Giants decide to make him the face of their defensive rebuild, Harbaugh won’t have to look far for intel - his brother Jim has already faced Downs firsthand. That came back when Downs was still at Alabama, squaring off against Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan team in a bowl game. Safe to say, the family scouting report is probably glowing.
Caleb Downs is the kind of player who can shift the direction of a franchise. If the Giants - or any team in the top five - are looking for a defensive cornerstone, they won’t find many better options.