NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Ohio State standout safety Caleb Downs will become the third member of his family to enter the NFL, and he may be the first to hear their name called on the first day of the NFL Draft.
Downs’ father, Gary Downs, was a running back when the New York Giants took him in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft out of NC State. He ended up playing six years in the league, two years with New York, three with the Atlanta Falcons and one year with the Denver Broncos, before playing his last game in 2000.
Then there’s his oldest son, Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs, a 24-year-old who has enjoyed a strong start to his young career after being taken in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of UNC. Also, NFL linebacker Dré Bly, who spent 11 years in the league, is Downs’ uncle.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
Caleb Downs of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 31, 2025. (CFP/Getty Images)
So, as Caleb Downs prepares to hear his name called in the first round Thursday night, Fox News Digital asked about his family’s influence, especially as he looks at the seamless transition to beauty. But while his father and brother have NFL pedigree, Caleb points to the family patriarch, 23-year United States Army veteran Gary Downs Sr., as the one who set the tone from a young age.
“I feel like everything that my grandfather instilled in us — consistency, discipline, hard work, and everything like that — is why we’re here today,” he said, while discussing his partnership with USAA, the NFL’s official “Salute to Service” partner.
“I remember times we would go to my aunt’s house, and my dad would chase my uncle down the street and do things like that as a kid. We were always very competitive as kids, and those memories are ingrained in me, and I feel like that’s one of the reasons I’m here today.”
NFL KEEPING ACCESS TO CONTACT INFORMATION FOR RELATED PROSPECTS AFTER 2025 SHEDEUR SANDERS PRANK CALL: REPORT
As a child, Caleb didn’t really understand what his grandfather meant when he said he was a “jumpmaster,” or a paratrooper in charge of safety and airborne training, but he learned more as he grew into the man, and football player, he is today.
Downs Sr. he retired from the Army on July 1, 1998, but his mind never changed with his children and grandchildren, which Caleb is thankful for entering this important time of his gridiron career.
“I can only say about my father. The way he led his family,” Caleb said when asked how his grandfather affected him on and off the field. “He raised his son to lead my family the way he did. I feel that the way you lead your family the way you work as a father, that has been passed on to his son, my father, and I hope that one day it will be passed on to me and my family.”
Caleb Downs of the Ohio State Buckeyes participates in drills during the 2026 Ohio State Pro Day at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus, Ohio, on March 25, 2026. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
As Caleb is eager to learn where his NFL journey will begin, he also reaches out to his older brother, Josh, for advice on how to adapt quickly.
“The biggest thing he told me is find your way, find your habits,” Caleb said. “Those are the things that are going to make the biggest difference. Those are the things that I need to fix quickly but this week is over.”
And while Caleb is “excited” to watch his brother find success, he hopes he’ll be boring to Josh whenever they hit the NFL roster. Being on opposite sides of the ball can lead to a big sibling rivalry, and Caleb wants to be released after their one time playing in high school.
ROBERT GRIFFIN III SAYS HIS CENTRAL WASHINGTON KINGS WILL ‘BE SO’ DESPITE ENDING SOON.
“Oh, it was really thought of,” said Caleb when asked if he and Josh had talked about that time when they were going to meet in the league. “I played against him once in high school. I’m going to have to find my way back because he beat us bad my freshman year in high school. They beat our team 42-3, so it wasn’t really a good game. But I made a few plays, he made a few plays. So, we’ll leave it at that.”
Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 22, 2025. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Caleb has had great men in his family to look up to, and they will all be behind him in this exciting jump to the NFL, where he will be sure to carry advice, personality traits and more to pick up from everyone he has walked with along the way.
FINDING NEW IDEAS
Caleb’s partnership with USAA included a special moment when he and his grandfather went to the Disabled American Veterans chapter in Columbus, Georgia to hear from some of those who served their country like Downs Sr. did.
The experience had a profound effect on Caleb.
“Being able to hear those stories while I was at DAV with all the veterans, being able to learn from their wisdom, it was amazing,” he explained. “I am grateful to USAA for allowing me to have this relationship with them. When they told me they could be an official “Salute to Service. [partner] of the NFL, I was like, ‘Oh, sure.’ And my grandfather would be very happy to be a part of it.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
“Being able to hear about their military background, and trying to relate it to what I’m going through right now, it was great to hear wisdom and be around people who have done great things in their lives. I feel like that’s something you can’t take for granted, just being with good people.”
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and register at the Fox News Sports Huddle.
