Two of Ohio State’s transfer portal acquisitions from Alabama have been recognized among the best in the country at their positions.
Buckeye safety Caleb Downs and center Seth McLaughlin were named first-team All-Americans by both CBSSports, in partnership with 247Sports, and The Athletic on Wednesday. Fellow safety Lathan Ransom earned second-team honors.
2 Buckeyes earn @CBSSports x @247Sports 1st Team All-American honors
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 11, 2024
@Seth_Mc24
@caleb_downs2 pic.twitter.com/NaQD3ntyH7
Downs has been arguably the brightest star for Ohio State's No. 1-ranked defense. He's racked up 62 tackles from his safety position, third-most for the Buckeyes and most among non-linebackers, adding 6.5 tackles for loss, an interception and three pass breakups. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has used him all over the defense, with 252 snaps in the box and 89 snaps in the slot to go with his 288 deep safety snaps in 2024, per Pro Football Focus.
McLaughlin was arguably the best center in college football before his season-ending Achilles tear during practice in Week 13. A finalist for the Rimington Trophy as the country's top center, he led an early-season resurgence for Ohio State's offensive line before his injury. He allowed zero sacks this year per PFF.
Lathan Ransom is fourth behind Downs on Ohio State in total tackles with 57, adding six TFLs, an interception, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The safety duo anchors a pass defense that allows just 144.3 yards through the air per game, good for second in the country.
Downs and Ransom will take the field again as McLaughlin watches from the sidelines when the eighth-seeded Buckeyes play ninth-seeded Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Dec. 21. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN.
