North Carolina
Colts select North Carolina WR Josh Downs with No. 79 overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft
The Colts added one other weapon to their offense on Friday, choosing North Carolina huge receiver Josh Downs with the No. 79 total choose within the 2023 NFL Draft.
The 5-foot-9, 171 pound Downs posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in his closing two seasons at North Carolina (1,335 yards in 2021, 1,029 yards in 2022) and totaled 195 receptions and 19 touchdowns over these two years. Downs led the ACC in receptions each seasons; his 101 catches and 1,335 yards in 2021 set a pair of North Carolina single-season information.
Downs was named a first-team All-ACC participant in each 2021 and 2022.
Downs on the NFL Mix recorded a 4.48-second 40-yard sprint and a 38.5-inch vertical leap.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote that Downs is a “dynamic athlete with above-average agility.”
Downs’ father, Gary, was a operating again who seven seasons within the NFL; his uncle, Dre Bly, performed 12 seasons within the NFL as a cornerback. Downs is a local of Suwanee, Ga., and starred at North Gwinnett Excessive Faculty, the place he totaled 3,019 yards and 32 touchdowns.