Caleb Downs: Cowboys Rookie's Jersey Number Quest

On April 25, Dallas Cowboys just snagged Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs with the 11th overall

pick in the 2026 draft.

They traded up one spot, sending their 12th pick plus two fifth rounders, numbers 177th

and 180th to the Miami Dolphins.

Now this rookie faces his first pro hurdle, negotiating for his favorite jersey number

2.

That number means everything to Downs because his brother, Indianapolis Colts, Y receiver

Josh Downs, rocks it too.

Caleb's been wearing two since high school, and Josh even switched from one to two to

match him.

Jersey numbers carry that personal way for players across sports.

Think Michael Jordan picking 23 to honor his brother Larry's 45 or Peyton Manning choosing

18 as a tribute to his older.

Brother Cooper, who had to retire early from spinal stenosis, fans get why these digits

hit different.

It's family legacy on the field.

Black Prescott reached out personally, which blew downs away since he's idolized him for

middle school days, watching a Mississippi State.

That call fired him up for what's next.

As Downs settles into Cowboys camp, locking down number 2 and linking with his hero could

spark a smooth rookie year.

America's team might have found their next shut down safety.