Cowboys' Caleb Downs Admits He Got 'Bored' During Ohio State Career, Explains Why

One reason Caleb Downs is looking forward to the start of his pro career with the Dallas Cowboys is there might be more for him to do on the field in the NFL than there was during his college career at Ohio State.

Appearing on 105.3 The Fan's GBAG Nation show (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra), Downs explained there were times he got "bored" in the Buckeyes secondary because opposing teams intentionally avoided the area of the field he was patrolling:

"The ball not coming your way. Maybe the talent may not be as good that week. You don't always play high-level talent every week in college, so that's something you have to get used to. Sometimes those games, they can get boring just because the fact of you play a team that doesn't have as good of an offensive line, your D-line will pretty much make all the tackles. There wouldn't really be much to do those games. So, just get bored of not being in the action."

Downs' final season with the Buckeyes saw him set career-lows in combined tackles (68) and passes defensed (two) in 14 games. He did make his presence felt when he was targeted, recording two interceptions and five tackles for loss.

Grading Caleb Downs Pick

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Per Pro Football Focus, Downs allowed 22 receptions and a 46.5 passer rating in 2025.

One reason to explain why teams avoided Downs last season is because they saw what he did in 2024, particularly during the Buckeyes' run through the College Football Playoff.

There was a lot of competition for the best player on the 2025 Ohio State defense. That unit had seven players selected in the 2026 NFL draft, with Downs, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles coming off the board in the first 11 picks.

Downs, who was ranked as the No. 1 overall player in this class by B/R, was the third member of that trio to be drafted. He lasted until No. 11 when the Cowboys traded up a spot to select him.

NFL teams likely won't be shy about testing Downs early to make him show that he's ready for the difference in speed and physicality at this level, but everything from his college tape suggests he can be a difference-maker for a Cowboys team that has spent this offseason trying to rebuild a defense that allowed the most points in the league last season.