Caleb Downs enters the 2025 season as the consensus top defensive player in college football and a generational safety prospect. His instincts, tackling consistency, and versatility allow him to thrive in any alignment—deep safety, slot, or box. Downs brings an elite football IQ, a high motor, and refined technique well beyond his age. He’s already produced at two blue-blood programs (Alabama and Ohio State), excelling in high-leverage moments. His floor is that of an immediate NFL starter with Pro Bowl potential, and his ceiling matches the best safety prospects of the modern era. He’s ideally suited for modern split-field coverages, match zone systems, or hybrid 4-2-5 defenses that leverage interchangeable safeties. A legitimate top-10 pick in 2026 with Defensive Rookie of the Year potential.