Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was considered by many to be the best overall player in the class. So, with the Dallas Cowboys owning the 12th overall pick in the opening round, it was thought that there was no way he would end up with America's Team unless Jerry Jones was willing to make a move into the top 10, perhaps even the top five.
But as the world watched back in April, all Jones had to do to outright steal the two-time unanimous All-American was to make a deal with the Miami Dolphins to move up one single spot to No. 11.
Now, anyone who has ever watched Downs play knows the ridiculous amount of talent he possesses, as the 6-foot, 206-pounder can tackle, play coverage, and basically just do about anything his unit requires. And seeing as the Dallas defense finished at the bottom of the NFL this past season in effectively every major category, his presence is obviously welcomed in Big D.
And as it turns out, his talent extends beyond the football field, as the 21-year-old is a fairly solid golfer, telling the folks at Bucknuts at 247Sports a little while back that he holds a 14 handicap, which would put his typical 18-hole score in the mid-to-high 80s.
Downs recently put those talents to the test against none other than Dak Prescott, and he apparently took down the four-time Pro Bowler, refusing to take it easy against his new superstar teammate.
Caleb Downs took down Dak Prescott on the golf course and picked up plenty of football knowledge while doing so
As Downs and Prescott told Cowboys insider Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the two recently teed it up together and were joined by former Dallas quarterback Will Grier, who's now back with the Carolina Panthers.
Prescott, who's proven to be a decent player in his own right over the year, admitted that Downs won the day and that he was very impressed with the rookie's game. Downs, meanwhile, was a bit more animated when describing the round.
"I was out there to beat his ass,” Downs said. “I told my friend that before I went out there. I was like, ‘I’m fixing to beat him. I don’t care what happens.’ Yeah, it was a good game."
That's the kind of fire Cowboys fans will be hoping for when Downs takes the field in September. And while Prescott, as mentioned, was impressed with his young teammate's golf game, he also told Harris that he's impressed with everything he's seen from Downs thus far.
"A true young pro,” Prescott said. “Super, super excited for him. Young career, long career ahead of him ... He’s a good example of that whole rookie class. They all follow his lead to that extent. I’m impressed, very impressed."
It wasn't all about birdies and bogeys on the course, however, as Downs took the opportunity to talk up both Prescott and Grier about their respective approaches to offense, as he felt getting some of that knowledge could only help him on the defensive side of the ball as he preps for his first professional campaign, saying that "it’s just good for me to be around vets like that, guys that have a lot of experience."
While Prescott is obviously the leader of the Cowboys' offensive attack with his 10 years of experience, Downs has already proven during OTAs that he has what it takes to be a team leader on defense. And the more knowledge he can soak up from Dak, the better.
And Downs is certainly willing to get some more of that knowledge back on the golf course, saying he's ready for the rematch when Prescott is.
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