With the 11th pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected safety Caleb Downs. After months of preparation and speculation, the team traded up one spot to secure their new secondary chess piece for defensive coordinator Christian Parker.Downs became the first former Buckeye to be drafted by the Cowboys in the first round since running back Ezekiel Elliott in 2016 and he should help fix a secondary that desperately needed to be addressed. Here are five other fun facts about Downs.1.
He's from GeorgiaDowns was born and raised in Hoschton, Georgia, where he was a star athlete for Mill Creek High School, lettering in baseball, basketball and football. 2. Started at AlabamaAlthough he starred with Ohio St. the last two seasons, he began his collegiate career at Alabama under famed coach Nick Saban. Downs wasted no time making a name for himself, starting as a true freshman and earning praise with one of the best coaches in college football history.Downs transferred when Saban left the Crimson Tide and went on to become a two-time All-American.3.
Family full of NFL talentThe apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; Downs’ father, Gary, played in the NFL for seven seasons. He began his playing career with the New York Giants, also playing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. He was a career backup who only started two games and ran for just 149 yards in his career.
But that's not the only football blood in his family. Downs' uncle is Dre Bly, who spent 11 seasons in the league. Meanwhile his big brother Josh is currently a wideout for the Indianapolis Colts.
Josh Downs has put together a solid first three years in the league and the brothers’ teams are slated to face each other during the upcoming season.4. Mom was a top DNA contributor as wellDon't sleep on the DNA from the other side of the family tree, either. Downs' mom played high school soccer, but she's currently a high school calculus teacher.
So when people talk about the high level of intelligence Downs displays in diagnosing the offense and identifying the best attack angles, mom should be credited for just as much as dad's side.5. Prized high school recruitDowns was a highly recruited prospect, ranking as the top safety in the country. He was ranked as the ninth best player in the country nationally by Rivals.com, 11th best by ESPN, and named the USA Today Defensive Football Player of the Year in 2023.Many of the top schools in the country tried to secure Downs’ talent, but he eventually chose one of the best football schools in the country.You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenTalksCowboys and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys select Caleb Downs: 5 things to know about him