Ohio State safety Caleb Downs takes home prestigious national award

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For the first time since 2008, Ohio State has a Jim Thorpe Award winner.

The Thorpe Award is handed out annually to the best defensive back in college football, and this year, that player is OSU safety Caleb Downs. The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame has been handing out the Thorope since 1986, and Downs is the third Buckeye to be recognized, joining Antoine Winfield in 1998 and Malcolm Jenkins in 2008.

Downs is often known as the best defender in college football, and has been swiss army knife since transferring from Alabama to Columbus. The defensive staff uses him in multiple spots on the field and has typically set him free to sniff out plays all over the field. This year, he has tallied 60 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two interceptions. More than the stats, though, he is a player who allows Ohio State to be so varied and dominant on defense because of what he means with his leadership, smarts, and high-level of play.

Downs beat out fellow finalists, cornerback Mansoor Delane of LSU, and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore. Downs also won the Lott IMPCAT Trophy for his contributions on and off the field and was also recognized as the Big Ten’s Nagurski–Woodson Defensive Player of the Year, Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, and a First Team All-Big Ten performer.

This probably isn’t the last time we’ll hear of Downs being recognized for a postseason accolade. He’s most likely also going to be a consensus All-American when all of those teams are announced.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs wins award not won by Buckeye since 2008

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