Ryan Day: Ohio State having talks about Caleb Downs playing offense in addition to safety

Caleb Downs has already proven that he is one of the top safeties in college football. It seems as though he could now get some opportunities at running back, too.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day told reporters on Tuesday that Downs has been in running back meetings, according to Lettermen Row.

“They started having a conversation with safety Caleb Downs about him potentially playing running back as a way to build depth at the position,” Lettermen Row reports.

Lettermen Row added that Ryan Day “believe Downs’ ceiling is highest at safety but that Downs enjoys having the ball in his hands.”

Ohio State already has a loaded running backs group that includes Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. Still, it makes sense that Ohio State is at least exploring finding ways to get Caleb Downs the ball.

The Alabama transfer was a five-star recruit and the No. 5 overall player in the country in the class of 2023, per the On3 Industry rankings. He attended Mill Creek High prior to signing with Alabama and played on both sides of the ball there, spending time at quarterback receiver and running back, in addition to safety.

As a freshman last season, Caleb Downs earned a starting spot and led Alabama in tackles with 107. He became the first freshman to lead the Crimson Tide in tackles in program history, dating back to at least 1970.

Downs earned Freshman All-American and All-American honors and was also named the SEC Freshman of the Year, in addition to earning All-SEC honors.

He finished the 2023 season fourth in the SEC in tackles and opted to enter the transfer portal after Nick Saban retired. Downs considered returning to his home state to play for Georgia but instead opted to commit to Ohio State and Ryan Day.

Downs entered the transfer portal in January, before committing to the Buckeyes on Jan. 19. He was ranked as the top player in the On3 Transfer portal rankings.

The addition of the 6-foot safety is a big reason why expectations are so high in Columbus ahead of the 2024 season. Whether he plays on offense or not, there’s no doubt that he will be a difference maker for Ohio State on the defensive side of the ball.

Ryan Day detailed what the Buckeyes were adding in Downs not long after he joined the program.

“You saw what he did as a freshman. To say we’re all excited to have him a part of the program is an understatement,” Day said back in February. “He brings a lot to the table, you guys will learn to that. I won’t get into all that right now, but his talent is exceptional. But he’s already created an unbelievable amount of discipline in his life, he’s created the skills to play the safety position at a high level.”