Caleb Downs presents 'unique' challenges for Notre Dame, says OC Mike Denbrock
Caleb Downs is a big problem for Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock.
During the CFP national championship media days on Saturday, Denbrock was asked about the difficulty in facing an elite player like Downs who often lines up in unusual positions on the field.
Known as an All-American safety, Downs has the license to line up closer to the line of scrimmage in more of a hybrid safety-linebacker role at times. Denbrock acknowledged the “unique” challenges that come with facing Downs and the Buckeyes defense.
“You have to make some decisions about how you’re going to treat it,” Denbrock said. “Is he a linebacker? Is he a safety? Is he something in between? It’s a unique scheme you don’t see a lot. I’d call it kind of a little bit of a nest look, where they’ve kind of got him perched up there waiting to pounce, whether you run it or pass it. He’s in a position to effect the game on either side of the field.
“Another brilliant scheme by Coach Knowles and their defensive staff, and it’s hard to deal with.”
Downs’ positioning has helped lead to a very productive season with the Buckeyes. He’s posted 77 tackles, 6 pass deflections and 2 interceptions while being the lynchpin on one of the best defenses in the country. Ohio State hasn’t allowed more than 5 yards per play in a game since Nov. 2 against Penn State.
Downs’ impact on Notre Dame’s QB run game will be something to watch for on Monday night. Opposing quarterbacks have rushed for 520 yards against Ohio State this season (after adjusting for sack yardage). That’s an area Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard will surely be looking to have success in the title game.
However, Downs’ presence closer to the line of scrimmage could certainly complicate Notre Dame’s QB run game. Leonard’s rushing yardage over/under for this game is 36.5 yards, according to the latest odds from FanDuel.

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Kickoff from Atlanta on Monday night is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.