COLUMBUS, Ohio — With his NFL Draft declaration, the debate intensifies around Downs’ legacy — was his combination of physical gifts and football IQ enough to surpass Buckeye legends despite playing only two seasons?

With Caleb Downs declaring for the NFL Draft, a fascinating historical debate has erupted among Ohio State faithful: Is he already the greatest safety in program history despite playing just two seasons in Columbus?

The conversation typically centers around three legendary figures: Downs, Jack Tatum, and Mike Doss. Each boasts an impressive resume of accolades, championship hardware, and game-changing performances that transformed the safety position at Ohio State.

“My initial reaction is probably no. But he’s the best. He’s he’s the most talented safety to ever play at Ohio State,” said Andrew Gillis, drawing an important distinction. “Like he’s the best at football, but I think only two years here compared to maybe some of the other guys, I wonder if when you compare the totality of that argument…”

The statistical case for Downs is undeniable. As Stephen Means recounted: “Caleb DS, two-time unanimous all-American, Jim Thorp award winner, lot trophy award, lot trophy winner, national champion, Big 10 defensive player of the year, and he was also a second team all-American as a true freshman. He was also the SEC freshman of the year. and he’s a two-time Big 10 defensive back of the year.”

This remarkable collection of accolades rivals those of his predecessors. Jack Tatum, a cornerstone of the “Super Sophomores” and two-time national champion, was a two-time unanimous All-American and had a trophy named after him. Mike Doss was a national champion, unanimous All-American, and three-time All-Big Ten performer.

What separated Downs from other elite safeties wasn’t just his physical abilities but his extraordinary football intelligence. Gillis explained: “The best thing about it was not just Caleb DS is really good and he’s athletic, but like what makes him special is you’ve got a supercomputer in his helmet on the back end of that defense. And that is not something that you can take lightly.”

This “supercomputer” quality transformed Ohio State’s defense, allowing them to disguise coverages at an elite level and confuse even the most sophisticated offensive minds. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian noted early in the season how Downs’ presence made Ohio State’s defensive disguises particularly challenging to decipher.

Perhaps Downs’ greatest performance came in a losing effort against Miami, where he set a College Football Playoff record with two forced fumbles in a single game. As Means noted: “Caleb DS was at god level against Miami and you don’t get to appreciate it because the offense couldn’t get to in the second half.”

The case against Downs rests primarily on his shorter tenure. While Tatum and Doss enjoyed longer Ohio State careers, allowing them to accumulate more statistical achievements and memorable moments, Downs’ impact was perhaps more concentrated and immediately transformational.

The fact that this debate exists at all speaks to Downs’ extraordinary impact. After transferring from Alabama following Nick Saban’s retirement, Downs immediately established himself as one of the most impactful transfers in program history, comparable to the legendary Joe Burrow.

“Caleb came in day one to Ohio State and led them to N, right?” Stefan Krajisnik observed. “Like even Burrow transferred, but it still took a little time. Like Caleb came in and it was like this is a team that needs to win a national title. Here is a star to put in the middle of it all.”

Whether Downs ultimately ranks first, second, or third in the pantheon of great Ohio State safeties may remain forever debated. What’s undeniable is that in just two seasons, he forced his way into a conversation that usually requires a longer resume. His combination of physical talent, football IQ, and championship pedigree ensures his legacy will endure long after his departure to the NFL.

Here’s the podcast for this week: