Could Ohio State safety Caleb Downs also play on offense? ‘He has the capability to do it’

Ohio State is looking at Caleb Downs, the All-America transfer safety from Alabama, as an additional option for its offensive backfield.

It was a possibility Buckeyes coach Ryan Day raised Tuesday, referring to Downs seeing snaps at running back in addition to safety as a potential contingency plan for this fall.

“I know that he has the capability to do it,” Day said. “I know he has the athleticism to do it. We’ll see where it goes.”

Apr 13, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) reacts to a call during the Ohio State football spring game at Ohio Stadium.

Day said Downs, who transferred to Ohio State in January, has spent time in running back meetings and took occasional reps at the position during individual drills in spring practices in March and April.

The potential for Downs playing both sides of the ball was a topic of conversation when the Buckeyes first recruited him out of high school in suburban Atlanta several years ago and again after his freshman season with the Crimson Tide when he put his name in the transfer portal in the aftermath of coach Nick Saban’s retirement.

“I know it’s something that he enjoys,” Day said, “having the ball in his hands.”

Downs did not appear at running back with the Crimson Tide last season while he led them with 107 tackles, but he was at least versatile enough to be featured as a punt returner. He returned four of them, including taking a punt 85 yards for a touchdown in a rout of Chattanooga.

More: Join the Ohio State Sports Insider text group with Bill Rabinowitz, Joey Kaufman Adam Jardy

“Ultimately, we think his ceiling is highest on defense,” Day said, “but having guys go on either side of the ball and just listen in the meetings is really healthy for their development. So we’re going to do that regardless.”

The Buckeyes have…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/could-ohio-state-safety-caleb-181103232.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-06-18 18:11:03

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.