Ohio State is creating a new position on defense, thanks to a football genius
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State wide receiver Brandon Inniss had a revelation on the second day of fall camp during a competitive team period.
The slot receiver lined up ready to attack a defense under new leadership in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and a bevy of new players stepping into bigger roles. Across from him was one of the three returning starters on defense, who for that moment ruined the optimistic vibe in Inniss’ head
Inniss lined up, thinking the offense was about to run a play that the defense wouldn’t be prepared for, let alone stop. Then Caleb Downs started talking.
“I can’t say what happened, but he called out the play and I’m like, ‘Damn,’ it’s not gonna work,” Inniss said. “He’s very smart. Very, very smart. … He’s unbelievably smart. He’s literally a defensive coordinator on the field
Downs might actually be a football savant.
His athletic ability might’ve been what once made him a five-star recruit in the 2023 class. It’s also what helped him quickly become one of the nation’s best safeties during his only year in Alabama, then build on that success when he transferred to Ohio State. But that mind is why he might be the nation’s unquestioned best defensive player, with the only player in general considered to be better than him being his teammate Jeremiah Smith.
That mind is what allowed the Buckeyes to completely revamp their defense last season after giving up 32 points to Oregon in the regular season. It forced then-defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to rethink his approach, making sure Downs was at the nucleus of everything going on.
