Caleb Downs is 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Winner
12/12/2025 7:32:00 PM | Football
Joins Antoine Wilfield and Malcolm Jenkins as Ohio State award winners
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Caleb Downs' resume added a significant honor on Friday night, as the All-America junior safety was announced as the winner of this year's Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, which goes annually to the nation's best defensive back.
Downs now joins rare and elite Ohio State company. He is just the third winner of the award in program history. The other two are Antoine Winfield (1998) and Malcolm Jenkins (2008). And it's yet another line on his ever-growing list of awards and achievements in 2025. Consider:
- Downs is the Big Ten's Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and, for the second consecutive season, the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year.
- On Sunday, he named the winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which is awarded for on-field performance and also academic standing, community contributions, leadership and overall character.
- Downs was also a finalist for the Nagurski and Bednarik Awards, both of which honor the nation's top defensive player.
- Additionally, Downs was nominated as Ohio State's candidate for the 2025-26 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award. The honor was created to recognize Big Ten student-athletes who strive to have a positive impact within their community in addition to excellence in competition.
Downs has also been named to the first-team of every All-America team that has been released, including the prestigious Walter Camp All-America team, CBS Sports and On3.
"I have spent 11 years coaching in the NFL and Caleb Downs is the best football player – pro or college – that I have ever coached," said Ohio State co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach Tim Walton. "He is first-class and exceptional in all areas he touches."
Downs is third on the team in tackles this season with 60 total stops for the 12-1 Buckeyes, who rank first nationally in total defense, scoring defense and passing yardage, and sixth in rushing defense. Downs is second among Buckeyes with 40 solo tackles and his season totals also include five tackles for loss, a quarterback sack, two interceptions, two pass break-ups and a quarterback hurry.
In his two years in Columbus, Downs' play has helped Ohio State have the nation's top-ranked defense in back-to-back seasons. Last year, on the way to a 14-2 overall record and the College Football Playoff national championship, the Buckeyes has the nation's No. 3-ranked pass defense and No. 1 scoring defense.
This fall, the unit has been ever better. Ohio State is allowing 38 yards less per game passing and have given up just six TD passes, the least in the country. Only one of Ohio State's 13 opponents so far this season have passed for 200 or more yards in a game.
Downs is an OSU Scholar-Athlete in the Fisher College of Business majoring in real estate and urban analysis. He is from Hoschton, Ga.
