Former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is going to make a future NFL Team very happy next season, whoever ends up taking him.
The hype surrounding the former Ohio State Buckeyes is climbing by the day, and on Thursday, it was Caleb Downs' turn.
Again, just like Sonny Styles, Buckeyes' Nation knows how good Downs was, but the NFL's Draft Analysts are starting to realize his true talent.
Ever since he stepped foot on Ohio State's campus, Downs was a total game-changer for the Buckeyes. After his freshman season in Alabama, where he led all SEC freshmen with 107 tackles, he decided to hit the transfer portal to Columbus.
When he got here, it took him a couple of weeks to find his home on the Ohio State defense under Jim Knowles. Later in the season, he found his role for the Buckeyes and started to elevate his game.
The biggest blessing for Downs was the exit of Knowles after his Sophomore season and the entrance of Matt Patricia as the defensive coordinator.
Downs was tailor-made for Patricia, and he used the star just as he would any of his safeties in the NFL. Downs was the Swiss Army knife that could play in the post, but that could also defend at the line of scrimmage.
He was everywhere on the field for Ohio State and was the great equalizer on the Buckeyes' great defense.
From a statistical standpoint, Downs' numbers will not stand out from the past year. However, when you turn on the tape, it is very clear that he is the best player on the field, no matter the opponent.
Albert Breer went as far as to call him the best football player in the class, and Dane Bruglar took him one step further.
Bruglar has been asking scouts to compare Downs to the other great safeties that they have scouted, and several have said there is no comparison.
So where does that leave Caleb on Draft Night? His ceiling, in my opinion, is legitimately the No. 2 pick to the New York Jets.
Many are saying that New York will go with linebacker (actually edge rusher) Arvell Reese, but would anyone be surprised if they select Downs? I wouldn't be.
Downs' floor is probably pick No. 12 to the Dallas Cowboys. I think that if he is available there, Dallas either takes him or someone else trades up to get him.
I'd be willing to bet that if he gets to pick No. 8, then New Orleans' phones will start ringing off the hook for teams to jump the Chiefs at No. 9 and the Bengals at No. 10.
He will be the most fascinating prospect in the draft because the argument is being made that he is the best pure player in the draft, but we are talking about him going in the double digits in the first round.
Wherever he does go, Downs immediately makes that team's defense so much better, and if he lands with Kansas City or Cincinnati, those teams creep closer to being a contender for years to come.