Oklahoma's Ethan Downs flying under the radar ahead of NFL Draft
Oklahoma's Ethan Downs flying under the radar ahead of NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is always full of surprises. But one of the biggest surprises of the pre-draft process is the lack of buzz for former Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Ethan Downs. Downs, a three-year starter for Brent Venables at defensive end may not have come away with a lot of accolades, but when it came to football, there were few Oklahoma Sooners more important than the Oklahoma native.
He did receive accolades, though. He was an All-Big 12 second-team selection in 2022 and 2023. He was recognized with the Bob Kalsu Award for leadership. And he's got production to go with his vast experience.
Downs finished his Sooners career with 110 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, five pass deflections, and a pair of forced fumbles. He was steady as he goes for the Sooners, finishing each season of his Oklahoma career with a 76.9 grade or better per Pro Football Focus. He had 100 total pressures and 66 stops, according to Pro Football Focus.
But still, he's flying under the radar among NFL Draft circles and has a chance to go undrafted.
But why?
Yes, Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart tested off the charts athletically. But he doesn't come close to the production Downs has. Stewart recorded 21 fewer pressures and 38 fewer stops than Downs. But Stewart is projected to go in the first round of the draft.
Downs may not have the elite seasons that projected first round edge rushers Princely Unmanielen, Mike Green, Abdul Carter, or Donovan Ezeiruaku, but he certainly has more production than Stewart and Downs tested well.
It's why Ethan Downs could be the steal of this draft or undrafted free agent class. Downs will be a player that defensive coordinators and front office personnel love. Because he's one of those players that you can rely on day in and day out, down after down, to do his job.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
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