When the Ohio State Buckeyes were able to land Caleb Downs in the transfer portal, everyone knew that they were getting a superstar. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star was already one of the best safeties in the nation as a freshman.

Ohio State star sophomore safety Caleb Downs is up for two prestigious individual awards. Downs on Tuesday was named as one of three finalists for both the Bednarik and Jim Thorpe awards. The Bednarik Award goes to college football’s best defensive player, while the Thorpe Award is for the best defensive back.

Ohio State standout safety Caleb Downs is being nationally recognized for his impressive sophomore season. Downs has been named a finalist for two national awards: The Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the best defensive back in college football,

The All-American has been elite as a safety all season, but on Saturday he got to show off another reason for why he’s such a weapon for the Buckeyes. Downs took a punt back 79 yards for a touchdown in a 38-15 win over Indiana. It was the first time OSU had done so since Jalin Marshall did it against Indiana on Nov. 22, 2014.

Caleb Downs is a finalist for both the Jim Thorpe and Bednarik awards, establishing him as one of the best defensive players in college football.

Gwinnett grads Travis Hunter and Caleb Downs were announced Tuesday as finalists in multiple categories for the 34th annual College Football Awards, televised live Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. on

Junior defensive end Abdul Carter is back on national awards lists. Penn State’s star pass rusher was named a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award on Tuesday, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player and presented by the Maxwell Football Club.