Ohio State’s Next Promising Star: Matt Patricia Willing to Risk Caleb Downs’ Role Entering Final Season
August 5, 2025 — Columbus, OH
As Ohio State football prepares for a critical 2025 campaign, the talk surrounding star safety Caleb Downs is heating up — not because of injury concerns or draft speculation, but due to a bold decision by newly appointed defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Sources say Patricia is willing to risk Downs’ traditional safety role to elevate emerging talents and transform the Buckeyes’ defensive identity.
Downs, a unanimous All-American and 2024 Tatum–Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, is widely considered one of the nation’s top defensive players. His ability to impact games both in pass coverage and run support led fans to select him as Ohio State’s projected defensive MVP in a recent preseason poll. But with Patricia’s arrival this offseason, the strategy for maximizing Downs’ versatility has become both intriguing and disruptive.
Patricia’s NFL Blueprint
Matt Patricia, a veteran of multiple Super Bowl runs with the New England Patriots, has brought an NFL-level strategic lens to Columbus. Shortly after being hired, Patricia revealed intentions to deploy schemes that allow star players to operate all over the field — reminiscent of the Patriots’ use of Patrick Chung in the “big nickel” package
Caleb Downs has already been seen during fall camp lining up frequently in the nickel cornerback spot, despite being Ohio State’s premier safety . Patricia has defended that move, explaining that shifting Downs opens playing time for rising safeties Jaylen McClain and Malik Hartford while giving the defense flexibility and unpredictability
“Caleb’s such a versatile player… now he can do that, so he can give some of those guys a chance to get on the field more,” Patricia stated
Why Redistribute Downs’ Role?
Despite his dominance, Patricia is choosing to move Downs around the field to better use his range, instincts, and impact. Patricia’s evolving scheme pushes Downs closer to the line of scrimmage in certain packages, allowing him to support the run while also covering slot receivers — the hallmark of NFL-style usage
At Alabama, Downs primarily played deep safety. At Ohio State, he thrived in Jim Knowles’ defense but has since seen his responsibilities expand. Patricia believes rotating Downs — rather than positioning him strictly as free safety — will create “different looks” on defense and deploy his rare skill set more effectively
Emerging Safeties Get Opportunity
Playing Downs at nickel allows McClain and Hartford more reps at both safety positions, ensuring the Buckeyes don’t rely on a single back-four identity. Patricia hopes this strengthens defensive depth and prepares backups to contribute when neerfef you my
Sources indicate that Ohio State’s secondary depth chart reflects this shift — two young safeties are now being groomed as next-man-up options, while Downs serves as a hybrid utility weapon rather than a fixed piece.
Pressure and Progress in Patricia’s System
Caleb Downs’ transition into a rotation-heavy role isn’t without risk. While his ability is unquestioned—he finished the 2024 season with over 80 tackles and multiple key interceptions—it remains uncertain whether public perception will accept him off the traditional free safety spot all game. Yet Patricia is clearly prioritizing schematic flexibility over positional tradition.
Patricia’s model mirrors his NFL philosophies: use elite defenders like chess pieces, rotate them through different positions to create confusion and prevent predictability. Danger is inherent if Downs is not strictly on the deep half, but the upside is a more dynamic, unpredictable defense built
Leadership and Final Season Stakes
As a junior, Downs is now entering his final college season before NFL draft eligibility. His willingness to adapt may not only benefit the team but also enhance his professional projection; talent evaluators covet versatility in modern defenses. Demonstrating positional flexibility — from free safety to nickel corner — could elevate his draft stock.
His brother, NFL receiver Josh Downs, has counseled Caleb to focus on long-term consistency. “Stay focused… two great years, it’s a hard thing about playing early. You’ve got to do it for multiple years before you can move on,” he advised
What This Means for the Buckeyes
If Patricia’s plan works, Ohio State will enter the 2025 season with a more potent and unpredictable defense. Opponents won’t know whether Downs is in the box, covering the slot, playing deep, or somewhere in between.
But it hinges on the success of Patricia’s gamble: can national college football’s best defender thrive outside his traditional role while Ohio State’s secondary strengthens around him?
If successful, the move will be hailed as creative genius. But if offenses exploit safety mismatches or downs grade poorly outside deep coverage, criticism will follow swiftly.
Final Thoughts
Matt Patricia is taking a calculated risk by reshaping Caleb Downs’ role entering his final college season. It’s a risk driven by a desire for versatility, expanded defensive looks, and development of the next level of personnel behind him.
Downs has accepted the challenge — and this season could define not only his legacy at Ohio State but also his NFL readiness. This is modern football: position-less, fluid, and daring.
For Buckeye nation, one thing is clear: the best defender in college football is about to be leveraged in entirely new ways. Now it’s up to him to prove the risk was worth it
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