When superstar safety Caleb Downs announced his transfer from the Alabama Crimson Tide to the Ohio State Buckeyes this offseason, it gave Ohio State arguably the top safety in the entire country. But in a shocking twist, it sounds like the Buckeyes might have even bigger plans for Downs than just lining him up at safety.
On Tuesday afternoon, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day revealed that Caleb Downs has been sitting in on meetings with the team’s running backs and that there is a chance he could play some snaps on offense for the Buckeyes this season.
“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,” Ohio State beat writer Dan Hope said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
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
Obviously, this is some pretty shocking news that Ohio State could use one of its best players on both sides of the ball this season, and it led to a lot of reactions on social media.
We've got a whole room full of RB's. Let Caleb focus on being the best safety in the country. https://t.co/UOC4rEWHsW
— Long Beach Mike (@longbeachmike73) June 18, 2024
I get every one questioning this, but for the past three years we’ve all complained on here about them never having any “special” plays or anything dialed up for TTUN. I’ll take the creativity and effort but keep the players healthy https://t.co/vcAAjQcP5p
— Justin Jean (@JustinJean87) June 18, 2024
They runnin a CLOWN SHOW https://t.co/UEs0ck7hUm
— Falcons Broke Me (@NotInTheCutTbh2) June 18, 2024
Not sure I understand the reasoning here unless it's something Downs has requested and you want to keep him happy. Day already has what is widely considered the best running back room in the country. https://t.co/OTs9KTdrJf
— The South Stands (@south_stands) June 18, 2024
BUT WHY… https://t.co/tnjfZVWQTJ
— Official Ohio State DG (@DylanEveryday) June 18, 2024
They’re trying to get him the Heisman this year aren’t they? https://t.co/b5p41113so
— Ohio State Deserves Better (@BCSNostalgia) June 18, 2024
He can def play there BUT…. As talented as he is. He got some work to do on the defensive side of the football. I would spend all my time there growing and get better. https://t.co/9QZWNJ9bti
— TC. (@GoatLatia) June 18, 2024
This is not the first time Day has brought up the possibility of utilizing Downs on offense. Shortly after Downs signed with the Buckeyes, Day mentioned that there was a chance he could help the team in other ways than just playing defense.
“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.”
We’ll have to see how the Buckeyes use Downs this season.
[Dan Hope]
