SouthernWorldwide.com – Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has expressed his admiration for rookie Caleb Downs, highlighting the young player’s remarkable confidence and professionalism.
Prescott described Downs as “how professional he is, how calm he is; quiet, yet confident,” in a recent interview. He emphasized that this demeanor is “contagious” and that Downs projects an aura of self-assurance.
The veteran quarterback elaborated that this level of confidence allows Downs to speak his mind and stand by his beliefs, regardless of his age. Prescott believes that when someone possesses this certainty, their age becomes less of a factor because they are perceived as doing the right thing.
Caleb Downs, a highly-touted recruit, began his collegiate career at the University of Alabama in 2023. During his freshman season with the Crimson Tide, he recorded an impressive 70 solo tackles, leading the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
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Following the retirement of Alabama’s legendary head coach Nick Saban, Downs made a significant move, transferring to Ohio State University for the 2024 season. He was an integral part of the Buckeyes team that ultimately clinched the College Football Playoff National Championship.
His exceptional performance continued into the following year, 2025, where Downs was recognized as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Throughout his three seasons in college football, the two-time All-American consistently demonstrated his playmaking ability, recording two interceptions in each campaign.
Prescott further lauded Downs’ leadership qualities, stating that he is a “guy that’s a leader just by the way that he carries himself and the way he approaches it.” He noted that Downs understands how to navigate the locker room environment.
Prescott added that Downs grasps the importance of earning the trust and respect of veteran players. He described the rookie as a “humble kid that’s coming in there each and every day, quiet and grinding.”
Downs was one of two first-round draft picks for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team notably traded up one spot to select Downs at pick number 11.
The Cowboys then traded back three spots, eventually selecting UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick.
For Dak Prescott, this upcoming season will mark his 11th year as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys. The team has faced a playoff drought for the past two consecutive seasons.
In the most recent season, Prescott showcased strong statistics, throwing for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also recorded 10 interceptions and maintained a passer rating of 99.5, completing 67.3% of his passes.
