Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs has been named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award for the second straight season. The award is given to the best defensive back in college football each year.
Downs was a finalist last season, and is one of 15 to be named a semifinalist this year.
So far this season, Downs has managed 34 total tackles (24 solo), with two tackles for loss, an interception and a quarterback hurry.
The defense as a whole is No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing just 5.9 points per game — the only team allowing fewer than double digits — and No. 1 in total defense (216.9 yards per game), red zone defense (50.0 percent opponent success rate), and opponent third down conversion percentage (21.3 percent).
Last year, with 82 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions, Downs was the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and a unanimous first-team All-American. He was also a finalist for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s best defender.
The finalists for the Thorpe Award will be released on Nov. 25 before the winner is announced on Dec. 12.
