Caleb Downs did not do much at the NFL Combine in February. The former Ohio State safety attended interviews with teams and the media, underwent medical evaluations and received measurements, but did not participate in on-field drills.
After the Combine, a report from Cory Kinnan of Draft on Draft started to circulate, indicating that Downs' medical revealed a partially torn meniscus and raised concerns about a potentially degenerative ACL. In the following week, ESPN's Pat McAfee spoke to teams who said they weren't worried about Downs' medical.
"Multiple NFL teams have told us there is nothing in the medical that would deter us from bringing Caleb Downs in, especially with how great of a football player it is," McAfee said.
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On Wednesday, Ohio State held its annual pro day at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. While Downs didn't run the 40-yard dash, he did take part in the defensive back drills, appearing healthy.
After the drills, Downs was questioned about the report concerning his medical status.
"They already answered it," Downs responded. "Pat McAfee put out a statement about it. That's not what my medical says. That is what it is. I don't really know who gave him that information, whoever that dude is, but it is what it is. So, I mean, just continue to do me. I can't control what people say."
Downs is projected as a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft this April. The last safety chosen that high was in 2017 when LSU's Jamal Adams was picked No. 6 overall by the New York Jets.
A two-time unanimous All-American and last year's Jim Thorpe Award recipient, Downs has a chance to be a top-10 pick despite perceptions about his position. Three-time Super Bowl winner and former defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, Matt Patricia, who coached Downs last season and is a former Detroit Lions head coach, believes he is the safety to do that.
"I think one of the things, look, when you draft in the NFL, you're always looking to who scores touchdowns and who prevents touchdowns, and coverage and pass rush on defense," Patricia said when asked about Downs. "But then, on top of that, who's the face of your franchise? Who are you bringing in that's going to represent your ownership, your organization, everything that you want to embody as a team?
"And when you've got guys that are eraser-type players in the defense, that can play in the multiple different roles, that can be in the middle, be outside, be in the box, be part of the field, those guys are gonna be on your team, your organization, for 15 plus years. You take them whenever you can get them, and that's Caleb."
After starting his career at Alabama, where he was named SEC Freshman of the Year, the former five-star prospect transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season. He recorded 82 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, six passes defended, two interceptions and a kick return for a touchdown in his first year in Columbus, helping the Buckeyes win the national championship. Downs' numbers weren't as impressive as a junior last season, but his impact stayed the same while playing on the country's top statistical defense.
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Throughout his career, Downs demonstrated he could play as a deep safety, while also showing versatility in lining up in various positions and covering wide receivers and tight ends. He was often called a coach on the field for the Scarlet and Gray, noticing things and making checks before others.
Because of his talent, hard work and health, Downs is confident he'll hear his name called early in the NFL Draft.
"I'm gonna just say the same thing I said with the Combine," Downs said. "At the end of the day, it's about affecting the game. Whoever affects the game, that's who needs to be picked the highest, and I feel like I do it at the highest level. So that's really all I have to say about that."