"They'd deliver the Heisman Trophy to the game" - Caleb Downs fans join hands in taking down Travis Hunter after Ohio State safety's viral punt return

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs has settled into the Buckeyes' team seamlessly since his transfer from the Alabama Crimson Tide via the transfer portal in January. In the game against coach Curt Cignetti's previously unbeaten Indiana Hoosiers, Downs was responsible for one of the most memorable moments of the weekend.

After forcing a big stop against the Hoosiers, he collected a punt return and rushed 79 yards to score an electrifying touchdown that put the Buckeyes ahead 21-7. Ohio State won the game 38-15.

College football fans on X immediately recognized Downs' brilliance and some pitted him against Colorado Buffaloes' Heisman Trophy contender Travis Hunter.

"Caleb Downs is giving Travis Hunter a run for his money. Wow," one fan commented.

Some fans held the assertion that Downs was better than Hunter.

"Caleb Downs > Travis Hunter," one fan tweeted.

"Hot take: Caleb Downs could do what Travis Hunter does," another fan tweeted.

"Am I the only person who thinks Caleb downs is a way better player than Travis hunter," one fan tweeted.

Nick Saban praises Caleb Downs on College GameDay

Downs was one of the prospects who entered the transfer portal from the Alabama Crimson Tide after coach Nick Saban retired in January.

As an analyst for ESPN's "College GameDay" on Saturday, Saban lavished praise on Downs for his talent and even told a hilarious story about a missing pot of money he put in a swearing jar during his last season in Tuscaloosa.

"This guy is one of the most complete people I've ever had the opportunity to coach," Saban said. "He's a great person. He's a great student. He's a phenomenal football player ... His competitive IQ, how he responds on the field and reacts instinctively, it's in the top tier of all players of all time. The one thing about Caleb Downs.

"I don’t know if I can trust him! Well there’s about $500 in the pot, and I don’t know what happened to the cash!"

Nick Saban also revealed a conversation he had with Downs.

“I had an interesting conversation yesterday with Downs,” Saban said. “We were talking about the SEC and how many hard games we had. He said we were more well-prepared for games like that.

"When we went to Oregon, we had four easy games, or five easy games, so we weren’t really well-prepared to have to go play a 60-minute game against a good team, and win a good game and finish the game.”

Caleb Downs has distinguished himself as one of the best players in the Big Ten under Ryan Day as he attempts to win the conference championship and return to the college football playoffs with the Ohio State Buckeyes.