CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Caleb Downs, the great safety from Ohio State, is a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player.

The award is voted on by the Football Writers Association of America’s All-America committee on behalf of the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The winner will be announced Dec. 8.

Ohio State’s 2025 defense is No. 1 nationally in 14 different statistics, including No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 in scoring defense, No. 2 in rushing defense and No. 2 in passing defense.

Joining Downs as a finalist: Texas A&M DE Cashius Howell, Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore and Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez.

Ohio State has two previous Bronko Nagurski Trophy winners: defensive end Chase Young in 2019 and linebacker James Laurinaitis in 2006.

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