Ryan Day doesn’t want to talk about Caleb Downs’ potential role in Ohio State’s offensive backfield. Right now, at least.

But that doesn’t mean the Buckeyes head coach is totally ignoring the topic.

In Tuesday’s weekly press conference leading up to Saturday’s home game against Marshall, Day was asked about his star safety, who transferred from Alabama in the offseason to bolster Ohio State’s defensive backfield but has been mentioned as a possible candidate to help the Buckeyes’ running game.

“Right now, we’re focused on Caleb being the best safety in America and doing his job there,” said Day. “He’s still working as a punt returner. I don’t think we’re quite there yet in needing him involved in the run game — not that we won’t as the season goes on.”

So far, Downs is sticking to the part of the field he knows best — the secondary, where the sophomore standout has helped 3rd-ranked Ohio State combine to allow just 6 points in its first 2 games of the season against Akron and Western Michigan.

Downs has 6 total tackles, 2 of them solo, and half a sack in his first 2 games as a Buckeye.

Now, about Downs playing a little running back, too? Earlier this summer, when Day floated the idea of Downs potentially playing running back, the suggestion didn’t surprise Downs.

“I feel like I’m an elite player with the ball in my hands,” Downs said back in August during preseason camp. “I would never not believe in myself to do something. So, I definitely believe that’s on the table.”