Dallas Cowboys defensive back and first-round pick Caleb Downs was so dominant in college that he got bored. Like, literally.
“Yeah, I’ll honestly say, yes, [I got bored with] the ball not coming my approach,” Downs stated when requested if he received “bored” by groups not concentrating on him in school in an interview with 105.3 The Fan. “Possibly the expertise [isn’t] nearly as good that week. You do not at all times play high-level expertise each week in school, in order that’s one thing you must get used to. Generally, these video games, they will get boring simply due to the very fact you play a workforce that does not have nearly as good of an offensive line, your D-Line will just about make all of the tackles.
“There would not actually be a lot to do these video games, so, [I] simply get tired of not being within the motion.”
The 2-time All-American security spent the final two seasons of his collegiate profession with the Ohio State Buckeyes (2024-25), preceded by one season with the Alabama Crimson Tide (2023). A five-star recruit, Downs transferred to Ohio State after his freshman season within the wake of Nick Saban’s retirement from teaching.
Downs totaled two interceptions in every of his three collegiate seasons. In Downs’ 2023 freshman marketing campaign, he led the SEC with 70 solo tackles, gained the Nationwide Championship at Ohio State in 2024 and was later the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Participant of the Yr.
“I might say I am a defensive participant. Having the ability to play close to the road of scrimmage, having the ability to play within the second stage, third stage, having the ability to do quite a lot of various things. You say a weapon, I might simply say a full-rounded participant,” Downs stated. “In case you’re a full-rounded participant that may make performs on all sides of your protection and make your protection higher, that is who you need in your workforce. Not essentially, ‘Oh, I would like someone to have the ability to set the sting.’ That is nice, but when he would not essentially make the play, then it would not matter.
“On the finish of the day, you need playmakers, and that is what I’m.”
Dallas traded up one spot to pick out Downs with the No. 11 decide, sending the No. 12, 177 and 180 picks to the Miami Dolphins to execute the trade-up. Later, the Cowboys traded again three spots with the Philadelphia Eagles, sending the No. 20 decide and a 2027 seventh-round decide to Philadelphia for picks No. 23, 114 and 137. At decide No. 23, Dallas chosen UCF Knights defensive finish Malachi Lawrence.
Downs and Lawrence be part of a Cowboys’ protection that was final within the NFL in opponent factors (30.1 per recreation) and opponent passing yards (251.5 per recreation), thirtieth in whole yards (377.0 per recreation) and twenty third in opponent dashing yards (125.5 per recreation) final season. They fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one season, changing him with former Eagles passing recreation coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker.
Absolutely, Downs will not be “bored” on the subsequent stage.
