Ethan

Downs

A three-year starter and cornerstone of Oklahoma’s 4-2-5 front, Downs (6’3/269) is a high-motor, physical edge defender whose relentless effort shows up snap after snap. A two-time Second-Team All-Big 12 honoree, Downs posted 13.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks in 2022 before repeating that 4.5 sack output in 2023. Though his production dipped slightly in 2024, he still tallied 9.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks over 12 starts. From a PFF standpoint, Downs graded out solidly with a 72.8 overall defensive grade, including an 85.3 in tackling and 70.4 as a pass-rusher. His 25 stops and just 3.2% missed tackle rate in 2022 speak to his physicality and technique. However, his 31-inch arms and dismal 7.58 3-cone (28th%) confirm on tape what evaluators see: limited bend and difficulty disengaging from long tackles. A classic tweener, Downs may lack the traits of a high-end pass-rusher but brings special teams chops (382 snaps) and blue-collar consistency that make him an attractive late-round option as a rotational 4-3 base end.

Downs (6'4/240) was fielding offers from a number of blue chip programs, LSU, Penn State and Texas among them, but ultimately felt most at home with the Sooners. 247Sports’ Gabe Brooks refers to the Weatherford, Oklahoma, native as a “relentless player whose motor runs high” and a “physical difference-maker.” On the 247Sports composite board, Downs lands as the No. 217 overall prospect in the 2021 class.