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Dallas Cowboys executive Will McClay praised rookie Caleb Downs as a 'football savant,' highlighting his exceptional understanding of the game and defensive skills. Downs, a standout from Ohio State, is expected to make a significant impact on the team's performance.
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Caleb Downs 'is a football savant'; Cowboys exec gushes about new star
The Dallas Cowboys certainly seem to have hit a home run when it comes to their selection of Caleb Downs. The Ohio State product who ranked near or atop every evaluator's draft board comes with a reputation of being a coach on the field, and we're not talking about the "deer-in-headlights, can't-adjust-the-gameplan" type of coaching the Cowboys have employed over the last couple of seasons.
No, Downs is a brainiac who is lauded for not just for his ability to dissect what's happening to him and around him, and not just for his ability to physically respond to what his brain is telling him. Downs is also credited for absorbing just about everything there is to learn about the game of football and playing defense to the highest degree. So much so, Cowboys VP of Player Personnel Will McClay called him a football savant.
Speaking to the DLLS podcast, McClay responded to a question from Clarence Hill about
It hits you right away. Typically, when you are looking at quarterbacks, you're going to explain a play to them and have them call it back and trying to figure out if a quarterback has the ability to call the play, direct everybody, do all those things.
Then you flip it over on the defensive side, and you see a guy that can do it. And then when you talk to [Nick] Saban, and you talk to [Matt] Patricia and the coaches, and they talk about how smart he is, and how quickly he picks things up.
Then he came in here for a 30 visit.
Not only did he talk about Alabama's defense, that he learned 3 years ago. He broke that defense down, he broke down Ohio State's defense, and he talked about our defense
So that lets you know that that brain works.
He understands concepts and when you say what type of scheme you're gonna run he understands how the different pieces work and fit together, and it's… it's almost… he's a football savant, because things just work that way in his head.
McClay also spoke about how Downs will be a force multiplier for the Dallas defense in that he raises the level of everyone around him by being able to know the ins and outs of what all positions should be doing on a play. Check out the full podcast below.
Will McClay described Caleb Downs as a 'football savant,' emphasizing his deep understanding of the game and ability to play defense at a high level.
Caleb Downs is regarded as a standout due to his exceptional ability to analyze the game and his physical skills, making him a valuable addition to the Cowboys' defense.
Caleb Downs played college football at Ohio State before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
Unlike previous Cowboys players who struggled to adjust on the field, Downs is noted for his intelligence and adaptability, allowing him to effectively respond to game situations.

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Caleb Downs, Alabama
Caleb Downs, Alabama
Caleb Downs, Alabama
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (2) intercepts a pass from Michigan quarterback Davis Warren (not in the photo) during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Ohio State football safety Caleb Downs makes an interception during the third period during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, November 30, 2024 in Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates an interception with cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) abnd linebacker Sonny Styles (0) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
Oct 4, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) enters the field before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Ohio State Buckeyes safeties coach Matt Guerrieri yells at defensive back Caleb Downs (2) during warm ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) warms up during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) makes ain interception on a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates after sacking Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) in the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) takes the field for warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs (DB34) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs gets measured during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs catches a ball during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs catches a ball during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates an interception with cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) abnd linebacker Sonny Styles (0) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs poses with his parents Gary Downs and Tanya Shorter Downs on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Caleb Downs, Alabama
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Caleb Downs, Alabama
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Caleb Downs, Alabama
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Caleb Downs, Alabama
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Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (2) intercepts a pass from Michigan quarterback Davis Warren (not in the photo) during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
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Ohio State football safety Caleb Downs makes an interception during the third period during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, November 30, 2024 in Ohio Stadium.
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Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
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Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
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Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates an interception with cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) abnd linebacker Sonny Styles (0) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
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Oct 4, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) enters the field before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
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Ohio State Buckeyes safeties coach Matt Guerrieri yells at defensive back Caleb Downs (2) during warm ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) warms up during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) makes ain interception on a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates after sacking Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) in the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) takes the field for warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025.
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Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs (DB34) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs gets measured during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs catches a ball during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs catches a ball during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
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Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates an interception with cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) abnd linebacker Sonny Styles (0) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
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Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs poses with his parents Gary Downs and Tanya Shorter Downs on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: McClay waxes poetic about the mental capacity of Cowboys S Caleb Downs