Ryan Day addresses Caleb Downs’ potential future involvement in Ohio State’s offense

You could easily make the case that Caleb Downs was the top non-quarterback to enter the NCAA transfer portal in college football this offseason. A Freshman All-American safety who led Alabama in tackles last season before taking his talents to Columbus to join Ohio State.

But beyond just being a standout defensive player, Downs is an outstanding all-around athlete, and one that head coach Ryan Day this offseason discussed potentially playing offense for the Buckeyes. Something that has still not happened through the first three weeks of the season.

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“I think right now we’re focused on Caleb being the best safety in America and doing his job there,” Day said in his press conference on Tuesday. “He’s still working as a punt returner, I don’t think we’re right quite there where we need to get involved with him in the run game just yet. Not that we won’t as the season goes on.”

Downs made his presence felt on the offensive side of the ball in high school, rushing for 389 yards and 20 touchdowns on just 57 carries in his senior season at Mill Creek in Georgia. Also adding 36 receptions for 422 yards and three receiving touchdowns to his stat line while being the No. 1 ranked safety in the country according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

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He didn’t play any offense in his lone season with the Crimson Tide, but did return four punts and one for an 85-yard touchdown. Still yet to hear his number called as a returner or at running back for Ohio State in their first two games of the season. A backfield that at the moment has featured true freshman rushers beyond the two headed monster duo of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson.

“But no, and I think it’s been great to see James [Peoples], and a good to see Sam [Williams-Dixon] get some carries in the game. So our depth at all positions is going to be tried this year,” Day said. “So he’ll be an option if need be, but right now, we’re going to just focus on safety.”

Ohio State’s younger backs have seen action in both of Buckeyes’ first two blowout wins of the season. But there are still plenty of games left in the season where Downs could be potentially featured in the offense, a storyline that will be fascinating to track moving forward in Columbus.

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