Ohio State safety Caleb Downs takes home prestigious award Sunday

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While we’ll see more awards handed out on Friday night, and then the Heisman Trophy — where Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is a finalist — will be awarded Saturday, we already have one Buckeye football player who is an award recipient. Safety Caleb Downs was named the Lott IMPACT Trophy award winner on Sunday night.

As you probably know, the award is named after NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and is handed out to the college defensive player who makes the biggest IMPACT – capitalized because it stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. It’s an award that recognizes contributions off the field just as much as on it.

On the football field, Downs, a captain this season, has played in 13 games and compiled 60 tackles, five tackles for loss (including one sack), and two interceptions. He is widely regarded as the best defender in college football, but according to a release from Ohio State, he is just as good off the field.

“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,” the OSU Department of Athletics said in a statement. “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.”

Downs was chosen for the award over other finalists, linebacker C.J. Allen of Georgia, defensive end Rueben Bain from Miami (FL), and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech. Downs was also a finalist last year and is a finalist this season for the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy, and Thorpe Awards as well this year. He might need to bring a couple of extra suitcases to the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Friday night in Bristol, Connecticut.

Former linebacker and current linebackers coach James Laurinaitis is the only other Ohio State player to win the Lott IMPACT Trophy. He did so back in 2008.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs named winner of prestigious award

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