Ohio State’s Caleb Downs Named 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Winner

As the leader of the No. 1 defense in the country, Ohio State University’s Caleb Downs has been named the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Winner. The announcement was made live tonight on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. Downs received the 2025 honor – given to the top defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character – on behalf of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, Jim Thorpe Association and presenting sponsor Paycom.

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Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner announced

Hoschton, Georgia, native Caleb Downs is the third Thorpe Award recipient from the Buckeyes, joining winners Malcolm Jenkins (2008) and Antoine Winfield (1998). Reigning unanimous All-American, Downs has been regarded as a leader on the defense from the moment he arrived at Ohio State in January 2024 and is considered a major contributor to the Buckeyes’ 2024 national championship run.

Anchoring one of the nation’s toughest secondaries, ranking first nationally in total defense, scoring defense and passing yardage, Downs is second among Buckeyes with 40 solo tackles, and his season totals also include five tackles for loss, a quarterback sack, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry, showcasing his range, physicality and reliability on the back end. “I have spent 11 years coaching in the NFL and Caleb Downs is the best football player – pro or college – that I have ever coached,” said Tim Walton, Ohio State co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach. “He is first-class and exceptional in all areas he touches. He is intelligent, thoughtful, honest, trustworthy and dependable. As a player, he is tenacious, always well-prepared, tough, physical, fast and productive. On behalf of the Ohio State football coaching staff and program, I want to thank the Paycom Thorpe Award for honoring Caleb with this award.”

In addition to winning the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, Downs, an Ohio State Scholar-Athlete, was also named winner of the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded for on-field performance, academic standing, community contributions, leadership and overall character. He was also named a finalist for both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award. An Associated Press All-Big Ten honoree and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Downs was also named the Big Ten’s Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and, for the second consecutive season, the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year. Selected as team captain by his peers, Downs was also nominated as Ohio State’s candidate for the 2025-26 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, an honor created to recognize Big Ten student-athletes who strive to have a positive impact within their community in addition to excellence in competition.