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Ohio State standout safety Caleb Downs is set to become the third member of his family to enter the NFL, and he’s very likely the first to hear their name called on the first day of the NFL Draft.
Downs’ father, Gary Downs, was a running back that the New York Giants took 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, the 24-year-old who has had a solid start to his young career after being taken in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of UNC. Also, former NFL cornerback Dré Bly, who spent 11 years in the league, is Downs’ uncle.
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Caleb Downs of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Miami Hurricanes at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 31, 2025. (CFP/Getty Images)
So as Caleb Downs prepares to hear his name called in the first round Thursday night, Pakinomist Digital asked about his family’s influence, especially as he looks for a seamless transition to the pros. But while his father and brother have NFL pedigree, Caleb pointed to the family patriarch, 23-year U.S. Army veteran Gary Downs Sr., as the one who set the tone since he was a kid.
“I feel like everything my grandfather instilled in us — consistency, discipline, hard work and all that — that’s why we’re here today,” he said, while also discussing his partnership with USAA, the official “Salute to Service” partner of the NFL.
“I remember times when we’d go to my aunt’s house and my dad would race my uncle down the street and stuff like that as a kid. We were just always very competitive as kids and those memories are instilled in me and I feel like that’s one of the reasons I’m here today.”
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As a child, Caleb didn’t necessarily understand what his grandfather meant when he said he was a “jumpmaster,” or a paratrooper responsible for the safety and training of airborne operations, but he learned more as he grew into the man and football player he is today.
Downs Sr. retired from the Army on July 1, 1998, but his mentality never changed with his children and grandchildren, which is what Caleb is thankful for as he enters this pivotal moment in his online career.
“I just wanted to say through my dad. The way he led his family,” Caleb said when asked how his grandfather has influenced him on and off the field. “He raised his son to lead my family the way he did. I feel like the way you lead your family in terms of how you function as a father has been passed down to his son, my father, and hopefully one day it will be passed down to myself and my family.”
Caleb Downs of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes part 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)
Eager to learn where his NFL journey will begin, Caleb also reaches out to his older brother, Josh, for advice on how to adjust quickly.
“The biggest thing he told me was find your routine, find your habits,” Caleb revealed. “Those are the things that are going to make the biggest difference. Those are the things that I’m going to have to get going pretty quickly, but this week ends.”
And while it’s “exciting” for Caleb to see his brother find success, he hopes to be a nuisance to Josh when they eventually line up on game day in the NFL. Being on opposite sides of the ball can make for a big bro fight, and Caleb wants some redemption after the one time they played against each other in high school.
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“Oh, it’s definitely been thought about,” Caleb said when asked if he and Josh have talked about the moment they meet in the league. “I’ve played against him once before in high school. I’m going to have to get mine back because he beat us pretty bad my freshman year in high school. They beat our team 42-3, so it wasn’t necessarily a great 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 an 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 on this exciting jump to the NFL, where he will be sure to carry the advice, character traits and more that he has taken from each of them along the way.
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Caleb’s partnership with USAA involved a special moment when he and his grandfather went to the Department of Disabled American Veterans in Columbus, Georgia to hear from some of those who served their country, like Downs Sr. did.
The experience was quite impactful for Caleb.
“Being able to hear those stories when I was at DAV with all the veterans, being able to learn from the wisdom that they have, it was amazing,” he explained. “I appreciate USAA for allowing me to have this partnership with them. When they told me they were the official ‘Salute to Service’ [partner] from the NFL, I thought, “Oh, sure.” And my grandfather would be so excited to be a part of it.
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“To be able to hear about their military background and then try to relate it to what I’m going through right now, it was amazing to hear the 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 around good people.”
