The Ohio State Buckeyes didn’t just field a good defense last season - they fielded the best scoring defense in the country. And as we look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, that elite unit is about to pay off in a big way.
The Buckeyes could see as many as five players taken in the first round, and four of them come from that dominant defensive side of the ball. That’s not just a testament to talent - that’s a pipeline of NFL-ready playmakers.
Among them, one name is starting to separate from the pack: Caleb Downs. The safety was a force from the moment he stepped onto the field in Columbus, and now he's poised to be one of the first defenders off the board in April. Some draft analysts even believe he has a shot to be more than just a top-10 pick - they think he could be the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2026.
NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay, speaking on The Ryen Russillo Show, didn’t hold back when discussing Downs’ ceiling at the next level.
“He might be Defensive Rookie of the Year,” McShay said. “If he lands on that Chiefs defense, he can be Defensive Rookie of the Year next year. He could be that impactful.”
That’s not just hype - that’s a reflection of what Downs put on tape over the past two seasons. He wasn’t just Ohio State’s best defender - he was arguably the most complete defensive player in college football.
Whether it was flying downhill to stuff the run, coming off the edge as a blitzer, or dropping back in coverage and taking away passing lanes, Downs did it all. And he did it at an elite level.
He didn’t just play safety - he redefined the role within Ohio State’s scheme. His versatility allowed the Buckeyes to get creative with their looks, knowing they had a player who could handle whatever responsibility they threw at him. That kind of adaptability is gold in today’s NFL, where defenses are constantly adjusting to keep up with increasingly dynamic offenses.
It’s no surprise, then, that he took home the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back. But even that hardware doesn’t fully capture his impact. Downs was the kind of player who made everyone around him better - the kind who quarterbacks had to account for before every snap.
Now, he brings that same high IQ, physicality, and sideline-to-sideline range to the NFL. Whichever franchise calls his name on draft night is going to get more than just a playmaker - they’re getting a tone-setter, a leader, and someone you can build a secondary around.
Downs has all the tools to be a decade-long difference-maker at the next level. And if he lands in the right system - especially one like Kansas City’s, where his versatility could be maximized - don’t be surprised if he’s not just starting in Week 1, but already making his case for Rookie of the Year honors.
The Buckeyes didn’t get the national title they were chasing, but they’re about to send a wave of defensive talent into the league - and Caleb Downs is leading that charge.