“He tries to b*tt them”: Nick Saban sheds light on Caleb Downs after Dallas Cowboys select him as 11th overall in 2026 NFL Draft (Image via Getty: Caleb Downs)
From saying Caleb Downs made more plays in college than anyone in the 2026 NFL Draft to sharing a negative trait about him, former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has come a long way.
The praise-brimming did not stop: “This guy is so instinctive, he’s got really good ability, he’s a phenomenal person, and he’s a football junkie.” But when it came to sharing weaknesses, the coach could not hold his criticism on The Pat McAfee Show: “The only thing negative I would say, I talked to him on the phone the other day, and it was the same thing when he played for us. He tries to b*tt them to the ground. He hits them so hard. I said, ‘How about trying to wrap them up?’” B*tt them to the ground means showing aggression.
An illegal hit on a defenseless player with one’s helmet.
Cowboys drafted safety Caleb Downs has a history of unnecessary roughness
Back in Nov. 2025 during Penn State vs. Ohio State game, Caleb Downs hit a Penn State tight end, Khalil Dinkins, brutally with his helmet. The initial targeting penalty was overturned after video review. So, there was ejection. But he was flagged for unnecessary roughness. In college football, targeting equals automatic 15-yard penalty and immediate ejection, but in the NFL, it equals unnecessary roughness [impermissible use of the helmet], resulting in automatic 15-yard penalty and but no automatic ejection.
So, it looks like the Dallas Cowboys will have some aggressive players on the gridiron, like Caleb Downs. This could be beneficial to the Cowboys because the last time they played with aggressive and dominant style was when they won a Super Bowl! Back to back.Anyhow, what else does Nick Saban say about the new Dallas safety? Let’s find out.
Ohio State Buckeyes ’ popular safety is instinctive and football junkie
The Buckeyes’ safety has made more plays in college than anybody in the draft. “So, he can make that many plays in the NFL, what’s the capability gap? How much better can he get?” wondered Saban.The 21-year-old ruthless player recorded 257 combined tackles [164 solo], 1.5 sacks, 16.0 tackles for loss, 12 passes defended, 6 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery in over three seasons. His PFF overall grade was 83.7 in 2025, ranking 40th among 914 qualified safeties. His PFF coverage grade was 87.0, ranking 37th. And his run-defense grade was 82.6, which ranked 70th at the position. His former Alabama coach further said, “When he played for us as a freshman, he would have been the first safety taken in the draft.
I mean, the guy is so instinctive. He’s got really good ability. He is a phenomenal person. And he is a football junkie. He is just so instinctive on the field and such a fast reacter.”
Legendary college football coach Nick Saban reveals Caleb Downs’ mother makes the best white chili
Saban shared a little message for the Cowboys via the ABC broadcast, “This is as fine a young man as you’re ever going to find to be a part of your team. He’s a great competitor. He’s got great character. He’s so instinctive as a player. He can play downhill, he can play in the box, he can play in the deep field, he can play man-to-man. This guy is a tremendous person and competitor. He did a great job and improved even more at Ohio State. And I’m going to give the Dallas Cowboys a little tip: his Mamma, in recruiting, made the best white chili I ever ate. You need to go there!”
Caleb Downs can play safety and extra linebacker
“Now, he plays better, everybody questions whether he can play in the deep part of the field. He can play in the deep part of the field. But when he’s in the deep part of the field, and he comes downhill, he’s going to bust your a**.
He’s a thumper,” said Saban on The Pat McAfee Show before the draft. A downhill thumper means a physical linebacker who attacks and plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage. According to NFL Draft Buzz, Caleb Downs plays the safety position with versatility and intelligence. He can handle any assignment a defensive coordinator throws at him. The Scouting Report further said, “He can drop into a deep half and take away half the field. He can rotate down into the box and play like an extra linebacker against the run.” So, does that mean Downs is not only a safety but also an extra linebacker? And that Dallas just hit a goldmine by drafting him? Only time will tell…
