Ohio State’s newest safety, Caleb Downs, may not have yet suited up in the iconic scarlet and grey uniform, but he already shares a bitter connection with returning members of the Buckeyes: a pure hatred for the Michigan Wolverines.
Downs, coming off a stellar freshman season at Alabama, saw his season ripped away by Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines in the Rose Bowl – just one game away from the national championship.
Michigan went on to cap off their undefeated season and win the national title, while Downs decided to transfer to Columbus following the retirement of Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.
Downs met the media this week and made it clear he more than relates to the Buckeyes disdain for that team up north.
“I think I understand it more. I definitely can’t understand it from an Ohio State perspective because I haven’t played in it, I haven’t been through that. So, I can’t really speak on how they feel, but I’m definitely hungry to beat Michigan myself,” he said.
"I'm definitely hungry to beat Michigan"
Caleb Downs is new to the Ohio State vs Michigan rivalry but still is familiar with the Wolverines.
Downs played against Michigan in the Rose Bowl. pic.twitter.com/10dCfV85jj
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) January 30, 2024
Michigan has had the upper hand in the rivalry of late, securing victories over Ohio State for three consecutive years, accompanied by three Big Ten championships and appearances in the College Football Playoff.
With Harbaugh no longer at the helm, his successor Sherrone Moore will look to continue the program’s dominance over Ryan Day and the Buckeyes.
The pressure on Day heading into the 2024 season is immense as his seat starts to warm up.
Day knows there’s no time to mess around … That much is obvious just looking at the offseason he’s had so far.
The amount of additions he’s added in the transfer portal – to go along with the fact that multiple Buckeye stars who were thought to be headed to the NFL have decided to return – makes Ohio State an extremely legitimate national title contender in 2024.
As important as securing quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins in the transfer portal was, Downs will be every bit as impactful.
According to Downs, when he announced his intention to enter the portal, he received “102 calls in 7-8 hours” from programs looking to bring him in.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs said he fielded 102 calls from schools in 7-8 hrs after he entered the portal 😳. He was the top overall player available pic.twitter.com/Ouw4WcjDam
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) January 30, 2024
As far as why he chose Ohio State ahead of everyone else…
“I just love the program here, I love coach [Tim] Walton, and love what the people had to say around here. I believe in coach [Ryan] Day, and I believe in this team … There was definitely some back-and-forth, there was a lot to think about and process between me and my family. At the end of the day, I made the decision, and I’m here,” he said.
"I expect us to be better than last year, I expect us to be elite."
Caleb Downs has only been on roughly a week but his expectations for the Buckeye defense are incredibly high.
He said he picked Ohio State because he loves the program and coach Walton. pic.twitter.com/uaSCM8ovQu
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) January 30, 2024
Oh, and I’m sure the NIL money didn’t hurt either…
He left for money. It's well known lol
— ℍ𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕥𝕠𝕟⚡️ (@HamDawg115) January 30, 2024
Speaking of NIL – what’s your thoughts on the Wild Wild West world we’re living in with college football?
Do you think Alabama has the right to be upset with Downs for bailing on the program? … Or is it no big deal since Saban was the one who left the Tide first?
As far as Ohio State, they’ve had the best “offseason” of any program in the country – Do you think they’re poised to win the national title next season???