A junior and former five-star recruit out of Hoschton, Georgia. Was the no. 1 safety and the no. 7 overall player in the 2023 class and also earned USA Today Defensive Football Player of the Year honors as a senior in high school. Began his college career at Alabama in 2023, where he was named SEC Freshman of the Year and led the team in tackles (by 40)—the first freshman to do so at Alabama. Transferred to Ohio State in 2024. Was named Jim Thorpe Award winner (nation’s top defensive back), Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, first-team All–Big Ten, and a unanimous first-team All-American for two seasons in a row. Also finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting.

Fun Facts

In high school, he would spend hours at his kitchen table watching videos of former star NFL safeties such as Brian Dawkins, Charles Woodson, and Ed Reed. “I really wanted to figure out what it meant to be great.”
He is the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs. His father, Gary, played running back for NC State and was a third-round draft pick for the Giants in 1994. He also played for the Broncos and Falcons.
Downs’s uncle is retired All-Pro corner Dré Bly, who’s an assistant defensive backs coach for the Jets.
Pregame routine consists of gospel music, a sermon, and YouTube videos.
Wore no. 24 as a kid because his favorite athlete was Kobe Bryant.
Started drawing up plays with football action figures when he was 4 years old and started watching film when he was 8.
Hosts a YouTube show with his brother.

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