Caleb Downs Awarded the Lott IMPACT Trophy
12/8/2025 8:54:00 AM | Football
Joins James LaurInaitis as Ohio State winners of Trophy awarded for defense and character
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State junior Caleb Downs, the superb safety on the nation's No. 1 rated defensive unit, was named this evening as the winner of the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy. The trophy, presented by The Pacific Club Foundation in Newport Beach, Calif., 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 was honored over a talented field that included University of Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen, University of Miami defensive end Rueben Bain and Texas Tech University linebacker Jacob Rodriguez,
Last week, Downs was named 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.
Leader of the Pack
Downs is third on the team in tackles this season with 60 total stops for the 12-1 Ohio State 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 included five tackles for loss, a quarterback sack, two interceptions, two pass break-ups and a quarterback hurry.
In addition to the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Downs is a finalist for the Paycom Thorpe Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award.
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.
IMPACT
This is the 22nd year of the Lott IMPACT Trophy presented by Allied Universal. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Former Ohio State linebacker, NFL veteran and current linebacker coach for the Buckeyes, James Laurinaitis, won the award in 2008.
Downs is an OSU Scholar-Athlete in the Fisher College of Business majoring in real estate and urban analysis. He is from Hoschton, Ga.
