Ohio State has a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist for the third straight year.
Buckeye safety Caleb Downs is one of this year’s 15 semifinalists for the award, which honors college football’s best defensive back.
Downs has been an immediate star for Ohio State this season after transferring to OSU from Alabama this offseason. Downs has played a team-high 381 defensive snaps and has recorded 31 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups. He’s provided excellent coverage for the Buckeyes in the back middle of their defense while making tackles all over the field.