Latest news with #CalebDowns
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Kansas State baseball coach Pete Hughes looks ahead during a preseason news conference
2026 NFL draft - Early big board players to watch | Football 301 Yahoo Sports NFL analyst Nate Tice runs through a few players who stood out on his preliminary big board for next year's NFL draft - including Clemson's Peter Woods, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Texas's Arch Manning and Ohio State's Caleb Downs. Subscribe to "Football 301" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. 2:03 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Ohio State football defenders appear on Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list
Two Ohio State football defenders appear on Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list It's not quite college football watch list season, but it's close. Look no further for proof than the earliest of the watch list announcements taking place this week with the unveiling of the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list for 2025. All told, 42 players appear on this year's version of the watch list, and two of those will be wearing Scarlet and Gray on Saturdays. It's no surprise that Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is on the list as arguably the best defensive player in the country (hint: it won't be the last watch list he appears on), but linebacker Sonny Styles is also among the names to keep an eye on. The Lott IMPACT Trophy, named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, annually goes to the "Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, college football's top defensive player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career." The winner will be announced in December and is selected by a national voter panel, consisting of former winners, members of the media, coaches, and members of the Board of Directors of The IMPACT Foundation. So, stay tuned after the season gets going to see what names continue to be considered for a rather prestigious award. Things will really start to heat up with these preseason watch lists as things get closer and closer to fall camp, and as they do, we'll let you know the ones that have a little Buckeye flair. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Forbes 2025 Under 30 Summit To Be Held In Columbus, Ohio Featuring 3-Time Olympic Medalist Suni Lee, Vivek Ramaswamy and More
COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Forbes hosted a special press event to officially announce the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit, in partnership with JobsOhio, and to unveil the Forbes 30 Under 30 Local Columbus List. The 2025 Under 30 Summit, taking place in Columbus from September 28-October 1, 2025, will convene the world's top young leaders, founders and creators for four days of connecting, learning, teaching and building. 'We're bringing it home to the capital of Ohio for the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit, our third and biggest year yet in the state as we spotlight the entrepreneurial momentum building in the Columbus area,' said Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor at Forbes. 'With a vibrant sense of community and innovation, we're proud to spotlight the city of Columbus' brightest entrepreneurs and game-changers leading the way in their industries.' Confirmed speakers for the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit include: Vivek Ramaswamy, Entrepreneur, Author, 2024 Presidential Candidate, and 2026 Candidate for Governor of Ohio Suni Lee, 3-Time Olympic Medalist Allison Ellsworth, Cofounder, Poppi Jeni Britton, Founder & CEO, Floura and Founder, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams May Habib, Founder & CEO, Writer With additional names being announced soon. The event will kick off on Sunday, September 28, with Forbes' signature Under 30 Summit concert, with performances to be announced soon. Attendees will hear from A-list speakers, access exclusive networking opportunities, participate in industry focused excursions and experiences across Columbus, and join in on a day of giving back to the Columbus community. 'This Summit is more than a moment,' said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. 'It's a reflection of what is possible in a place like Columbus, where partnership powers progress, inclusion fuels innovation, and tomorrow's leaders are already making moves today.' Today's press conference convened 30 Under 30 Local Columbus list makers, key city and state officials and partners. Ohio State University football safety Caleb Downs, who was recently named to the 30 Under 30 Local Columbus list, spoke in a fireside chat with Forbes' Steve Bertoni about his selection to the Under 30 list and his connection to the great state of Ohio. The first-ever 30 Under 30 Local Columbus list, which launched today, spotlights young entrepreneurs in cities across the local Columbus region. This year's 30 Under 30 Columbus list includes OSU Buckeyes football safety Caleb Downs, National Champion OSU football players Emeka Egbuka and William Howard, former OSU Women's Basketball Player Cotie McMahon, Olympic Medal-winning swimmer Hunter Armstrong and many more. "Columbus has a vibrant and growing entrepreneur and business community that continues to thrive,' said J.P. Nauseef, President & CEO of JobsOhio. 'This year's Forbes 30 Under 30 Local List showcases a wide range of the incredible talent that draws so many young people to Columbus. We look forward to welcoming them and the thousands of attendees later this fall." To curate the list, Forbes worked closely with local industry leaders for their expert recommendations. Candidates were then thoroughly vetted by Forbes and a panel of independent, expert judges on a variety of factors including but not limited to funding, revenue, social impact, scale, inventiveness and potential. Those who appear on the final 30 Under 30 Local List are still eligible for future Forbes lists, including the Forbes 30 Under 30 U.S. list. For the 30 Under 30 Local Columbus List and more, visit: here For additional information or to attend the Forbes Under 30 Summit in September, visit: Forbes Under 30 Summit. To join the conversation on social, follow #Under30Summit. JobsOhio is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2025 Under 30 Summit. Pratt Industries is the Supporting Sponsor.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Meet The 30 Under 30 Local Columbus Class Of 2025
Brayden Arnold Unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, Caleb Downs is one of the most well known athletes in the country. Currently a safety at Ohio State University, he contributed to the team's National Championship win this year—with 5 solo tackles in the championship game alone, and 81 total tackles on the season. He started his football career in Alabama before transferring to Ohio State in 2023, and is projected to be a first round pick in the 2026 draft. With nearly 225,000 followers on Instagram, Downs has partnered with brands like Armani, DSW, A-Game hydration, and more. And he is the cofounder of Launch Point, an NIL platform to match athletes with top brands. Shaquille Alexander Shaquille Alexander, a licensed CPA and former Big Four alum, founded S. Alexander & Associates in 2020. The firm rapidly grew from $40,000 in revenue its first year to $250,000 within two. In 2023, he merged his practice with Brightlight Financial & Accounting Services, where he now leads the tax and compliance practice. Alexander manages a diverse portfolio of over 40 clients—including a San Francisco climate startup with $1.3 million in projected revenue—overseeing hundreds of annual tax filings and providing strategic planning for nonprofits, founders and high-net-worth individuals. A cum laude graduate of Otterbein University, he also made history at 27 as Whitehall, Ohio's first Black treasurer. He currently serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio and the Columbus Crew Community Council. Hunter Armstrong Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Hunter Armstrong is a swimmer representing Team USA. Born and raised in Ohio, Armstrong competed for the Ohio State University's swim team from 2020 to 2022. He was named the university's Male Athlete of the Year for the 2021-2022 season. Initially recruited to West Virginia University, he transferred to OSU in 2020 and went on to the University of California for one year before turning pro. Now, the two time All American and 17-time World Aquatics Championship medalist has returned to Ohio State to coach and train for his next Olympic run. He counts nearly 30,000 followers on Instagram and is an active volunteer—primarily working with children. Nikki Cooper Nikki Cooper is vice president of business engagement and external affairs at the Ohio Business Roundtable (OBRT), where she works to connect Ohio's business leaders, nonprofits, and government to drive economic growth. Within a year, she raised over $150,000 in sponsorships for OBRT's Ohio CEO Summit. Prior to joining OBRT, Cooper served as deputy director at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, where she says she helped launch the state's first electronic case management system to manage unemployment claims during the pandemic. Outside of work, she's pursuing WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certifications and is planning to start a wine business that combines entrepreneurship with philanthropy. Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka is a wide receiver and former Ohio State University football player. Originally from Steilacoom, Washington, he played for Ohio State from 2021 to 2024, finishing with over 2,800 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. He played a key role in the Buckeyes' 2025 national championship win and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, at No. 19 overall. He has 167,000 followers on Instagram. Kyle Fedewa (left) and Riley VanderKaay (right) are the cofounders of a real estate technology company on a mission to reinvent how consumers and agents connect. Powered by Isa—a conversational AI model trained to operate like a high-performing inside sales agent—Speculo guides buyers through AI-driven home searches, instantly responds to seller inquiries, provides current residents with valuable insights and resources for their homes, and easily connects agents with buyers and sellers. The bootstrapped startup booked $2 million in revenue last year and is on track for more than $3 million this year. Ohilebo (Prince) Garuba Ohilebo Prince Garuba is the executive director of the Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries. A graduate of The Ohio State University, he leads 10% of Goodwill Industries International's total national market share by representing 14 independent Goodwill organizations across Ohio. His role includes shaping public policy agendas—including workforce development, economic opportunity, childcare affordability and reentry services—and facilitating statewide collaboration on business development and corporate partnerships. He also authored and implemented the association's first-ever two-year public policy strategic plan. Noor Haj-Tamim Noor Haj-Tamim is a private astronaut candidate, engineer, and the founder and CEO of Avionova Inc., a medical technology startup developing wearable technology to combat motion sickness and vertigo. Avionova's patent-pending technology (in earbuds, for instance) uses gentle cooling to stabilize the inner ear and give quick relief from motion sickness for pilots, astronauts, and anyone sensitive to motion. Since launching in March 2024, Haj-Tamim has brought in $325,000 in accelerator and grant funding, was chosen as part of accelerators like Techstars Columbus and Jumpstart HealthTech, and has landed partnerships with aerospace and healthcare organizations. Superfan CEO Will Matz (right) and head of product Tommy Hillyer (left) launched Superfan—a social app built for passionate music fans—in November 2022. The platform enables artists to create fan communities and share exclusive content through features like Superfan Backstage, offering unreleased tracks, behind-the-scenes footage and ticket giveaways. Artists such as Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners and Toledo use the app to connect with their audiences. Superfan now boasts over 100,000 users and secured $120,000 in accelerator funding after completing Techstars Columbus in 2024. Madison Hilson and Valentina Thompson Madison Hilson (right) and Valentina Thompson (left) are the cofounders of SENIQ, an outdoor apparel brand designed for women who hike, climb, and live actively. After working in the activewear industry with brands like Outdoor Voices and Backcountry, CEO Thompson saw a gap in the market for gear that's both functional and stylish. Inspired by her own recovery from an ACL injury, she launched SENIQ, and in just over a year, it's set to surpass seven figures in revenue. The company says it also donates 1% of sales and all event profits to mental health organizations. Will Howard A graduate from Ohio State University, William (Will) Howard was the quarterback on Ohio State's winning National Championship team, where he was named offensive MVP and led the team to a record 14-win season. With two Ohio State records, Howard was named the offensive MVP in this year's Cotton Bowl win over Texas and in the National Championship win over Notre Dame. The Pennsylvania native played four years with Kansas State before transferring to Ohio State in 2024. This year, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round. He has 218,00 Instagram followers, is an ambassador for CarsX, and partners with Proctor & Gamble and Cirkl, among others. He also runs a youth football camp in partnership with Raising Cane's. Alex Husted Alex Husted leads venture capital at The Ohio State University, overseeing direct investments in startups founded by students, alumni, and faculty. There he manages a strategic fund-of-funds platform that channels capital into top-tier VC firms aligned with the university's research strengths. In this role, Husted advises innovation programs across campus and helps turn discoveries into investable companies. In six months, he's preparing to launch a $200 million university-affiliated venture fund, one of the largest of its kind in the Midwest. Daniel Intrater Daniel Intrater drives brand partnerships in the booming gaming industry as VP of Partnerships at eFuse, a tech company building software to connect gamers and brands. He says he has led over 500 partner deals and events, forging relationships between game publishers, streamers, schools, and businesses. Intrater works closely with names like Epic Games, Riot Games, Activision, and athletes including Christian McCaffrey. These partnerships have helped generate over $20 million in revenue for eFuse. Amani Kimball-McKavish Amani Kimball-McKavish, an Ohio State University student and lacrosse player, is also a budding entrepreneur. During her three years at OSU, she completed a marketing degree while securing $50,000 to launch PROSscored Virtual Arena. The startup creates a private online space for sports broadcasts, allowing teams and universities to keep the money and rights from their events. PROSscored currently focuses on cheer and dance, with plans to expand into other college sports and arts. Soon, it also aims to help athletes with personal branding and creating their own content, all while Kimball-McKavish earns her master's in finance and continues to play on the women's lacrosse team. Jenee Lee Jenée Lee is community relations director for the property action team in the Columbus City Attorney's Office, where she leads housing justice initiatives that directly improve quality of life for vulnerable residents. She co-created a court diversion program that she says has helped over 100 older adults avoid eviction and age in place by connecting them to vital repairs and services. She also developed a vehicle repair initiative that's supported more than 300 individuals facing code violations. Most recently, Lee launched a community engagement model targeting neglected apartment complexes with histories of violence and disrepair, giving residents a voice in neighborhood revitalization. She holds a doctorate in social work. Natalie Matesic Natalie Matesic is the founder of 52 Card Social, a social media agency for wellness and lifestyle brands. After 8 years working in the industry, she launched the startup to offer something deeper than 'cookie-cutter content.' Today, she says her agency blends strategy with storytelling and intuition with data by offering full-service social media management, content creation, and consulting. Starting with a $10,000 loan in January 2024, she says she's on track for $170,000 in revenue this year. She's landed creator partnerships with brands like Ulta, Pantene, and Walmart, among others. Matthew Marquardt After winning the overall amateur title at the 2022 Ironman World Championship, Matthew Marquardt turned pro in 2023, earning multiple podium finishes and the fastest swim split at Worlds. In 2024, he placed 4th in the Ironman Pro Series, becoming the top American and setting a bike course record at Lake Placid. Outside the tracks, Marquardt is a cancer researcher focused on 3D printing for surgical planning and performance and has published more than 24 peer-reviewed papers. He also serves on the community advisory board at Pelotonia—a nonprofit that's raised more than $300 million for cancer research—where he is a predoctoral fellow. Elijah McCutcheon Elijah McCutcheon manages the Work Readiness Training University (WRTU) at the Columbus Urban League, one of Ohio's leading youth workforce programs. Each year, WRTU equips over 400 underserved youth with skills in financial literacy, career readiness, and leadership. Under his leadership, the program revamped its application process, introduced a culturally relevant curriculum, and launched custom tools to track outcomes like skill growth and job placement. Outside of WRTU, McCutcheon runs Unbound Productions, a creative firm helping churches and nonprofits tell visual stories, and leads digital strategy at New Covenant Believers' McMahon became a nationally known basketball recruit in middle school when she began receiving her first Division 1 offers. She went on to play three years at Centerville, Ohio, high school before graduating early as a top 25 recruit, and joined the Ohio State women's basketball team. She started in every game she played in at Ohio State, and went on to be a mulit-time All American honorable mention. With multiple award honors under her belt, she will transfer to Ole Miss this fall for her senior season. She is expected to be drafted in the top 10 in the 2026 WNBA draft. She counts nearly 25,000 followers on Instagram. Amelia Me Amelia Mei started creating content online as a creative outlet. She has since turned it into a multifaceted lifestyle and wellness career. With 54,000 followers on TikTok and 23,000 on Instagram, she's partnered with brands such as FP Movement, Nike, Sweetgreen, Saie Beauty, and Core Hydration. With her platform, she went on to launch Always—a breathwork and meditation company through which she leads wellness events across the country. In 2024, she published a daily self-love journal on Amazon, which became a top 50 best-seller in the self-care category. Up next: She's preparing to open Columbus' first heated mat Pilates studio, Chi, in 2025. Aja Miyamoto Aja Miyamoto is the founder of Sakura Web + SEO and Opanova Digital, two Columbus-based companies that help local service businesses (like salons, spas, and beauty brands) grow through SEO-driven websites and digital strategy. A first-generation college graduate who taught herself web design while studying journalism at Ohio State, Miyamoto launched her business at 22 and says she has since helped hundreds of small businesses build websites. In 2024, she expanded into physical products, like smart business cards and custom laser-engraved items, to help entrepreneurs connect with customers offline. Both of her businesses are entirely bootstrapped. Vanesa Mora A self-proclaimed 'housing justice advocate,' Vanesa Mora is driving community transformation on Columbus's South Side as director of advancement at The Reeb Center. In this role, she is the sole fundraiser for the organization, which entails hosting events and creating partnerships that support the organization's programs in workforce development, education, and essential services. A first-generation college graduate from Brown University, Mora returned to Ohio to join Reeb Center as an interim program director in 2022 and has since grown with the non-profit organization. Parawave Jack Murray (left) and Adithya Ramaswami (right) are building drones to help save lives. While still college students at Ohio State, they started ParaWave, a company that develops drones for first responders. The drones help teams get eyes and ears into dangerous situations without putting themselves in harm's way. ParaWave's work has already caught national attention—in 2024, CEO Ramaswami was picked to lead a global student competition, called Design-Build-Vertical Flight (DBVF) Student Competition, focused on designing flying rescue vehicles. He's also worked with the Federal Aviation Administration and received funding from Ohio's President's Buckeye Accelerator. Hannah Romich Hannah Romich is a comedian, producer, and co-owner of Hashtag Comedy Club. She joined the two existing owners in late 2022 after starting as an improviser and cast member in 2018, and supporting the comedy company's marketing team. Today she oversees programming and talent development for the company's improv theater and stand-up club. Since re-imagining and re-opening the club in late 2023, Hashtag Comedy Club has hosted hundreds of comedians, improvisers, and sketch actors from across the country. Romich personally books and coordinates more than five events every weekend, aiming to bring diversity to the forefront of comedy. Isana Sebastian Isana Sebastian is the founder and owner of Girl Boss Cbus, a Columbus-based platform and community-driven brand that empowers women entrepreneurs and professionals through curated resources, content and events. What started as a local networking meet-up in 2023 has grown into a platform now supporting and partnering with over 200 women across Columbus. Through strategic partnerships with local organizations and a growing social media presence—where Instagram Reels feature interviews with local business owners and educational resources—Girl Boss Cbus has built a loyal following and hosted multiple sold-out events. Ethan Schaffer At the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ethan Schaffer leads efforts to expand and strengthen the Chamber's network, which now includes more than 8,000 members. He plays a key role in connecting global companies to Ohio through high-impact events such as the Future Forum and Women in Business. A former national champion in speech and debate, Schaffer made history as the first public high school student to earn the top national ranking in multiple events—an achievement that earned him a full-ride scholarship to Marshall University. Before joining the Chamber, Schaffer worked for a firm consulting political candidates on federal, state, and local campaigns Cole Smith Cole Smith is the cofounder of Visor, a car-shopping platform he launched alongside his brother Craig during the 2023 Techstars Columbus accelerator. Designed with buyers in mind, Visor aggregates car listings nationwide into a single platform, allowing users to apply smart filters and explore options through an interactive map. Since its launch in August 2024, Visor has attracted nearly 400,000 users. Smith holds a degree in data analytics from The Ohio State University, where he also cofounded two student hackathons. The startup has raised $190,000 in funding so far. Zach Werensk Zachary Werenski is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL team. Werenski was drafted No. 8 overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2015 NHL entry draft. He is reportedly in a 6-year, $57.5 million contract with the team. In the 2024–25 season, Werenski set a Blue Jackets record for most points in a single month by a defenseman, and was named the NHL's Third Star of the Month in January. He also prioritizes his philanthropic work, including supporting a young girl battling cancer. He has represented Team USA at multiple IIHF World Championships. Aaron Westbrook At 14, Aaron Westbrook refused to settle for the limitations of traditional prosthetics. Born with one hand, he taught himself to design and 3D-print his own device, sparking a passion that quickly grew into a mission. His blog, Alive With Five, connected a community of people with limb differences—and inspired Westbrook to cofound Form5 Prosthetics in 2017, a nonprofit providing access to affordable, custom prosthetics through 3D printing. He's produced over 75 prosthetics to date, and also launched a month-long workshop where recipients team up with students and mentors to design their own devices. Westbrook has received $1.4 million in grants to fund Form5. Timothy Zaritsky Timothy Zaritskyy is helping real estate agents stand out in a crowded market by making their stories more compelling. In 2019, he founded Orange Visuals, a Columbus-based media company that produces high-quality video, photography and social content tailored for real estate professionals. Since then, his work has helped market over $500 million in property, according to the company. Zaritskyy, a first-generation Ukrainian immigrant, also launched OpenStudio, a studio space designed to make it easier for agents to film their own professional content. He's projecting $2 million in revenue this year. Judges Shereen Agrawal Shereen Agrawal is the inaugural executive director of the Center for Software Innovation at The Ohio State University. She is a seasoned technology leader with experience ranging from early-stage startups to large, publicly traded companies. Throughout her career, she has gained experience launching new technology, leading go-to-market initiatives, forging networks across global technology communities and developing high-performing teams. Most recently, Agrawal served as cofounder of a central Ohio-based consulting firm focused on product and go-to-market strategies. Previously, she held roles at Columbus-based Root Insurance, Twitter, Cloudera, and Intel. She earned her MBA from Harvard Business School and her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. She has advised student ventures as an executive in residence at The Ohio State University. Will Zell Will Zell is the founder and managing partner of Vessel Investment Group. Zell has been a tech entrepreneur and investor since 2012, building and investing in a broad portfolio of growth companies including AssetWatch, a category defining condition monitoring company serving global manufacturers. He was the founding CEO of AssetWatch from 2014 to 2020 and currently is active in the company as the executive chair. In 2020, Zell founded Vessel, an alternative investment platform investing in world-class founders through venture capital, private equity and private credit strategies. Will resides in his hometown, Bellefontaine, Ohio, with his wife Beth, who is the founder of Sweet Aromas Coffee, and their three children Brant, Grace and Luke. Joyce Beatty Congresswoman Joyce Beatty is a native Ohioan with a strong history of connecting people, policy, and politics to make a difference. Since 2013, Beatty has represented Ohio's Third Congressional District. And in the 117th Congress, served as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congresswoman Beatty currently serves on the exclusive House Committee on Financial Services as ranking member of the subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions. And she is the co-chair of the bipartisan Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus and founding co-chair of the Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus. In 2021, she was credited with uniting Democratic Congress members in support of the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan, which set out to rebuild America's roads, bridges and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, and more. In 2021, she helped achieve a decades-long goal of enshrining Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday. Claire Coder Claire Coder is a 28-year-old Thiel Fellow and founder and CEO of Aunt Flow. On a mission to make the world better for people with periods, Aunt Flow stocks public bathrooms with freely accessible tampons and pads. Through Coder's leadership, Aunt Flow launched patented tampon and pad dispensers in more than 60,000 bathrooms and raised more than $17 million in venture capital. Aunt Flow has worked with thousands of businesses and schools, including organizations like Google, Princeton University, Netflix, and more than 30 professional sports stadiums. The strarup has also donated over 7 million organic cotton tampons and pads to menstruators in need since 2021. Coder is a Forbes 30 Under 30 alumna.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF rates Ohio State safety Caleb Downs top draft prospect of 2026
PFF rates Ohio State safety Caleb Downs top draft prospect of 2026 Tuesday saw Pro Football Focus release its list of the top 50 overall prospects, regardless of position, for the 2026 NFL Draft. It's no surprise that an Ohio State Buckeye, safety Caleb Downs, tops the rankings. Ohio State is third all-time in NFL Draft picks produced, with 487. Notre Dame is #2 with 520 while USC is the best, with 523. Ohio State could easily lay claim to "Wide Receiver U." given all the top tier NFL wideouts that they have produced, but Columbus is a talent factory for all positions, including defensive back, where Downs dominates. The 20-year-old Hoschton, GA native transferred in from Alabama last offseason, and his run stopping capabilities are top-notch. A true "run stuffer," he can fill gaps to shut down rush lanes effectively. Downs also excels in pass coverage, and his versatility means that it's not hyperbole to start making the Kyle Hamilton comps right now. The PFF write-up describes Downs as "an incredibly versatile player who can thrive at free safety, slot corner or in the box. Not to mention, he's a dynamic punt returner as well." More: How accurate are 'too-early' mock drafts at projecting prospects? A look back at 2017.
