In modern football, it’s extremely rare for a player to play both offense and defense – especially a player of superstar caliber. But it sounds like Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is considering playing both ways this upcoming season for the Buckeyes.
Caleb Downs emerged as one of the top safeties in the country last season with the Alabama Crimson Tide as just a true freshman. After the departure of head coach Nick Saban, he opted to transfer to Ohio State for the remainder of his career. But it sounds like he might play more than just safety for the Buckeyes this upcoming season.
According to Ohio State beat writer Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day revealed that in addition to working out with the safeties, Downs has also spent time in the meetings with the running backs.
Ryan Day says Caleb Downs has spent some time in running back meetings and that Ohio State has had talks about him playing some snaps on offense in addition to playing safety.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) June 18, 2024
“Ryan Day says Caleb Downs has spent some time in running back meetings and that Ohio State has had talks about him playing some snaps on offense in addition to playing safety,” Hope said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
Day had previously indicated that the team was considering using Downs on offense or special teams.
“Now, he’s tremendously talented and excited to make sure we give him as many opportunities as he possibly can in all different areas too. You saw him as a punt returner, I watched him play in a high school game against Buford and he was running the ball, so even talked about that as maybe lining him up and different things,” Day said back in February.
“So there’ll be a lot of opportunity next year for Caleb Downs.”
It will certainly be interesting to see whether or not Downs actually does play both sides of the ball this fall.
[Dan Hope]
About Kevin Harrish