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Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs’ career was simply a video game’s high-score record, used to unlock the future — just like the Madden NFL 26 universe is doing now to unlock the next big star in the sport of football. Caleb, who declared for the draft on Jan. 7, is the son of Gary Downs and the brother of Josh Downs, a current NFL wide receiver.
Downs’ record of 107.0 total tackles is kept in the books for all time at Alabama, where he was the first freshman to ever lead the Tide in that category. In the legacy of defensive greats, Caleb is holding it on his shoulders, having swept the Jim Thorpe Award and becoming only the sixth defensive back to be a two-time Unanimous All-American. Despite that, does he feel the pressure of the NFL? Kirby Smart famously said he doesn't look like a freshman at all, but like a guy playing for three years.
What if a team calls his name on draft night? Well, the Madden world already has an answer for that, too:
“Which team is calling his name on draft night?” Madden NFL 26 wrote on X.
— Madden NFL 26 (@EAMaddenNFL) February 25, 2026Downs has completed his official 3D body and face scan for the upcoming EA Sports Madden NFL 26 video game, sharing a clip of the process via his Instagram.
Caleb Downs shares Instagram clip of Madden NFL 26 scanning process pic.twitter.com/sBQidwMwUQ
— MOHAMMAD ASIF ANSARI (@WriterMohammad) February 26, 2026The timing of this post aligns with the pre-draft process when top-tier rookies traditionally participate in media and licensing shoots to ensure their realistic avatars are ready for the game's launch.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are the favorite to take Caleb Downs
Downs is expected to be a primary ‘Rookie Premiere’ item because he has an 87.0 coverage score, which makes him a perfect fit for teams like the Giants. He comes to the league with a Pro Bowl-caliber demeanor.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. provided a definitive scouting report:
"Downs -- the brother of NFL wide receiver Josh Downs and the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs -- is basically an extension of the defensive coordinator."
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the overwhelming favorite to take him because their safety room is currently an "ugly situation" with aging veterans, according to Steel Curtain Network. However, Caleb might want to be the foundational piece for Omar Khan, even though former stars like Jalen Ramsey are getting older and have high salaries.
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