Caleb Downs a Lott IMPACT Trophy Finalist
11/24/2025 4:02:00 PM | Football
Unanimous All-American and reigning Big Ten DB of the Year is now a finalist for two major awards
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State junior safety Caleb Downs was named today as a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. The trophy is awarded for on-field performance and also academic standing, community contributions, leadership and overall character. Downs was a finalist for the award in 2024.
Downs is now a finalist for two major national awards. In addition to the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Downs has previously been named as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is presented to the nation's outstanding defensive player.
He is a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award and the Bednarik Award. Both awards will announce their finalists on Tuesday on ESPN beginning at noon.
Downs is a leader on the nation's top-rated defense, a unit that is No. 1 nationally in scoring defense, passing yards and total defense, and it is No. 2 in rushing defense.
Downs is third on the team with 49 tackles and he's second with 32 solo tackles. He also has 5.0 tackles for loss, one sack, a team-leading two interceptions, one PBU and one quarterback hurry.
Selected as a team captain by his Ohio State peers, Downs is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in college football. Pro Football Focus and Joel Klatt each listed him as the No. 2 overall player this year (behind teammate Jeremiah Smith).
Off the field, Downs has partnered with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to raise funds and fight food insecurity in central and eastern Ohio with a special focus on holiday meals. His work there included working at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank's on-site kitchen preparing meals for local school kids. The partnership came about through the Trust Downs Foundation, which he co-founded with his brother, Josh, who is a wide receiver with the Indianapolis Colts. The foundation helps to combat homelessness in Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Columbus. They have held fundraising events, such as a recent one last July at Topgolf in Columbus, with proceeds benefiting organizations such as the Huckleberry House, which helps homeless youth.
Downs is an OSU Scholar-Athlete in the Fisher College of Business majoring in real estate and urban analysis. He is from Hoschton, Ga.
