Ohio State captured the first national championship of the 12-team College Football Playoff era in dominant fashion, winning all four games by double digits and averaging a 17.5-point margin of victory during its 2024 title run. Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs claimed it was the greatest run in the history of the sport at a charity event this weekend.
“You’re right,” Downs said when asked if the Buckeyes’ postseason was the best. “I would say the story of this team has to be told. The run that we went on, I haven’t seen a run like it. It was an honor to be a part of. … Those two losses were both turning points for us during the season. They helped the team grow and get to where we were at the end of the season. Losing to the Team up North is one of the reasons that we actually won it.”
Ohio State is the favorite to win the 2025 national title as the Buckeyes look to repeat as champions for the first time in program history. Downs said the team has shifted its focus from the championship honeymoon to next season but hasn’t talked about going back-to-back just yet.
“It’s kind of over with just because we have to play next year, and we have a new team,” Downs said of Ohio State’s championship celebrations. “We have more to do. I wouldn’t say we’re talking about (going back-to-back). Right now, we are really just trying to focus on the process and get better every day. We have the talent to do it. We have a team to do it. We just have to put the work in and show it on the field.”
Downs was the top-ranked player in the transfer portal after a freshman All-American season for coach Nick Saban and Alabama. In his first season in Columbus, Downs finished with 82 total tackles, eight tackles for a loss, half a sack, six passes defended and two interceptions, one of which sealed the CFP semifinal against Texas. He totaled 20 tackles, one tackle for loss, three pass breakups and the takeaway in the Buckeyes’ four playoff games. He should have an even bigger role in 2025 as Ohio State replaced eight starters on defense, including three in the secondary.
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“I’m so thankful for coach Ryan Day allowing me to come into this program and allowing me to have a chance to develop a relationship with new brothers and new teammates,” Downs said. “Now, I’m having a chance to be a leader on the team and to make more of an impact than I did last season.”
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