Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs is showing why the pipeline from Ohio State to the NFL is so strong.
The Ohio State Buckeyes made draft history with 99 total first rounders selected in program history – leading college football – and became the first school in 59 years to have four picks in the top 11 of the 2026 NFL draft: wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans, edge Arvell Reese to the New York Giants at No. 5, linebacker Sonny Styles to the Washington Commanders at No. 7, and safety Caleb Downs to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 11. Downs was thought to be a steal by the Cowboys, and that was pretty validated upon his arrival in Dallas ahead of rookie minicamp, where he immediately got to work studying the defensive playbook.
He began rookie minicamp this past Friday, eager to keep building off of a strong start. Downs spent significant time working directly with defensive coordinator Christian Parker, and the duo has received accolades for their football IQ, specifically at the defensive back role. Parker was effusive in describing Downs’ instincts and decisiveness and how there’s never any drop off in his tape, which speaks to the Buckeyes’ ability to develop draft picks. More impressive is the fact that Downs and all other top 11 picks outside of Styles from Ohio State were juniors, showing the program’s ability to develop pro-ready talent at an expedited rate.
To read more about Downs and the impact he’s expected to make in Dallas, here is the full story from Buckeye Roundtable writer Anthony Moeglin.
Downs also said that he studied five to six teams’ defensive schemes ahead of the draft, one of those being the Philadelphia Eagles where Parker used to be the defensive pass game coordinator, setting up real symbiosis between him and his new coordinator. Downs played in three different schemes in college alone, giving him invaluable versatility to enter the league poised to make an impact.