NIL Deal Whispers: Ohio State's Caleb Downs signs five-figure partnership with Rhoback

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs has become the latest name to ink a season-long NIL partnership with Rhoback.

Full terms of his deal with the activewear brand were not released, but multiple sources tell On3 the deal is worth up to $50,000. He’s represented by Excel Sports.

A SEC Freshman of the Year and second-team All-American as a true freshman, the former Alabama transfer will be one of college football’s top stars this season. Downs closed out his true freshman season with 107 total tackles, which ranked fourth in the SEC. He also tallied 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year, he landed on first-team All-SEC as a true freshman.

“I am incredibly excited to be working with Rhoback as my official apparel sponsor and become a leading face of their Rhoback U program,” Downs said in a statement. “It’s easy to see why their presence in college athletics has grown so much and has remained as one of the fastest growing activewear brands in the country.

“Their products are the most comfortable I have worn, and their media house continues to set the standard with engaging content. From their social content to their gear, I’m a big fan of their presence in the Ohio State community.”

The apparel company has emerged as a major spender in the NIL Era. He joins a growing list of ambassadors, including Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Penn State’s Nick Singleton. Quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Riley Leonard signed with Rhoback last week for deals valued at $100,000.

Downs will earn a commission for the sales he drives and receive a substantial amount of gear. Already thought to be a top prospect for the 2026 NFL draft, Downs is the younger brother of Josh Downs, the North Carolina product drafted in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts.

The Ohio State safety will star in social media advertisements throughout the season while wearing Buckeyes-branded Rhoback gear.

Caleb Downs’ On3 NIL Valuation

Downs has a $817,000 On3 NIL Valuation, which is No. 22 in the college football NIL rankings. The valuation is also No. 40 in the On3 NIL 100, the first of its kind and defacto NIL ranking of the top 100 high school and college athletes ranked by their On3 NIL Valuation. 

The On3 NIL Valuation is calculated by combining Roster Value and personal NIL. Roster value is the value an athlete has by being a member of his or her team at his or her school, which factors into the role of NIL collectives. NIL in an athlete’s name, image and likeness and the value it could bring to regional and national brands outside of the scope of NIL collectives.

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