In late-July, I made a well-known trek to Columbus to take a look at a participant who’s anticipated to take faculty soccer by storm this fall and function the microcosm of the period we’re in: Sophomore security Caleb Downs. Ohio State followers are actually well-versed in all issues Downs, who was the No. 1 switch this offseason, however my objective was to inform an overarching story for a wider viewers at CBSSports.com: Non secular journey guides Caleb Downs to Ohio State as centerpiece of Buckeyes’ offseason haul.
In my reporting, I used to be given entry to Downs, coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. I additionally spoke to Caleb’s father, Gary, and former Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith for extra context on Ohio State’s portal and NIL push.
Listed below are 5 issues I discovered.
What I considered Caleb Downs
Easy: A buttoned-down, already-accomplished veteran (solely a sophomore) who sees not solely the sector however the future in entrance of him. He has the respect of the workers and his teammates. He is within the good place for his future, contemplating the coach of his former workforce (Nick Saban) retired. Ohio State has arguably the very best protection within the nation. I assumed it was distinctive that his favourite participant is Ronnie Lott, a legend who retired virtually 30 years in the past. What number of 19-year-olds know who Ronnie Lott is? If Ohio State chooses, Downs may develop into a low-key Travis Hunter. He in all probability will not, though Downs will probably be used as a working again sporadically. However think about the Heisman juice this child would get if he performed 100 snaps per recreation. On this age of all-me, NIL money-grubbing it was good to fulfill a participant who has all of it collectively. I am not saying Downs did not get a pleasant NIL bump, that did not appear to be the motivating issue. Not less than I have not seen his Bentley but.
Why Caleb Downs transferred
Nick Saban retired. It is so simple as that. Ohio State completed an in depth second when Downs got here out of highschool as a top-10 recruit. So shut, the Buckeyes had been, that Downs cried when telling OSU coach Ryan Day of his choice. So shut that Downs’ father Gary stated the “voice of God” was the distinction in guiding his son to Bama. The uncertainty after the GOAT retired was an excessive amount of even after a freshman All-American season at Bama. Additionally, Alabama cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson departed (for Georgia). The participant and coach had been shut. The household was already near OSU secondary coach Tim Walton.
What makes Caleb Downs particular
Imaginative and prescient, pace, toughness. Downs led Alabama in tackles (107) as a freshman. That was essentially the most by an Alabama freshman since not less than 1970. OSU DC Jim Knowles stated Downs “takes the assembly room to the sector.” OSU OC Chip Kelly relayed this nugget: “You will discuss to him after observe and he’ll say, ‘You gave us this formation. That was new. That was laborious.’ I am at all times making an attempt to get suggestions from him.”
Caleb Downs’ offensive potential?
Limitless, if Day actually wished to unleash him. Downs did every little thing in highschool – dashing, receiving, kick returns, protection. Because it stands Downs has labored out with the offense and a package deal has been put in with him as a working again. “Generally you possibly can see a child who has a ton of athletic skill however is he going to have the ability to deal with enjoying protection, enjoying particular groups, coming over and having a package deal on offense,” Kelly stated. “Caleb may in a second.” The guess right here is that Downs will probably be inserted for a couple of performs every recreation as, if nothing else, a decoy. His skill as a punt returner will even make him top-of-the-line within the nation. Final 12 months he returned solely 4 punts however scored on one in all them whereas averaging 21.5 yards.
Surroundings an enormous credit score to household’s success
Downs’ toughness was instilled by his father, a former seven-year NFL veteran at working again. Gary Downs as soon as pit his 9-year-old son Josh towards then-6-year-old Caleb towards one another — in full pads contained in the household dwelling.
“That was my first true reminiscence of soccer. Josh was greater than me, for positive,” Caleb stated. “I used to be positively bullied.”
He was kidding. The Downs household is within the behavior of manufacturing excellence. A sister performed soccer at Kennesaw State and is now in medical faculty at Wake Forest. Josh Downs, a former North Carolina receiver, is starting his second season with the Indianapolis Colts.
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