Former Ohio State Buckeyes star Caleb Downs is confident about being the best football player in this year’s NFL draft.

During an interview with the press at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday, the safety explained his X factor while providing reasons to back up his claims.

“I mean, my confidence level’s always at the highest when I’m on the field,” Downs said. “The belief in myself never really goes down, no matter the circumstance. I feel like my mind really puts me above a lot of people in terms of how I process the game, in terms of instincts. I think that’s what makes me special.

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Caleb Downs began his collegiate career with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2023. During his freshman campaign, the safety played in 14 games and recorded 107 total tackles, two interceptions and 3.5 tackles for loss.

Downs was honored as the SEC Freshman of the Year for his performance. However, he then decided to transfer to play for Ohio State after Nick Saban’s retirement. During his debut campaign with Ryan Day’s team, he went on to become an undefeated national champion while recording 82 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.

Caleb Downs was honored as an Unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. Last season, he put up another impressive performance despite the Buckeyes losing to Miami in the playoff quarterfinal. The safety tallied 68 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions and five tackles for loss.

Downs won the Lott Trophy and the Jim Thorpe Award. He was also honored as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and made his second All-Big Ten first team.

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New York Giants coach John Harbaugh has high praise for Caleb Downs

John Harbaugh is set to begin a new chapter in his coaching journey this year. After 18 seasons with the Ravens, he was fired last month, following which he took over as the coach of the New York Giants.

Last week, during an interview with radio host Mike Francesa, Harbaugh heaped praise on Caleb Downs ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.

“Big, big fan,” Harbaugh said. “We favor Hall of Fame safeties, so we have a chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just find with me.

“We’ll take the best player. You know, when you draft that high, you take the best player. It’s not a need pick. It’s the best player pick because you’re going for a guy that’s going to be that kind of a player. … I’d take him in a second.”

The Giants have the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft. Will they use this to add the ex-Ohio State safety to the roster?