Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was recognized as the top defensive back in the nation during the college football awards show.

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As the leader of the No. 1 defense in the country, Ohio State University’s Caleb Downs has been named the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Winner. The announcement was ...

Since 1986, the Jim Thorpe Award has been recognizing college football defensive backs for their performance on the field, athletic ability, and character. As part of the greater ESPN “The Home Depot ...

The National College Football Awards Association’s 35th annual College Football Awards show took place Friday on ESPN. Nine awards were presented, with Ohio State having four players up for six honors ...

The award recipient is selected from the three finalists by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former ...

Each year, the Jim Thorpe Award honors the best defensive back in college football, a title reserved for the nation’s most complete players at the position. Entering 2025, the watch list boasted 35 ...

Visit NCFAA.org for more information. Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates Tue., Feb. 10, 2026: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring Caleb Downs from Ohio State University in Oklahoma City The ...

Ohio State Buckeyes junior safety Caleb Downs has been named the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award winner, recognizing him as the nation’s top defensive back. The announcement came Friday night during ESPN’s Home ...