The Football Brainiacs

Player Profile

Position: Defensive Lineman

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 265

Class: Senior

Seasons at OU: 4

Hometown: Weatherford, Okla.

Previous School: Weatherford HS

The Path to Norman

Ethan Downs played high school ball in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He played all over the field on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. A top 200 recruit, Downs’ offer list included LSU, Penn State, Texas, and Texas A&M. However, he became the first defensive commit in the 2021 OU class in the fall of 2019.

https://twitter.com/ethandowns40/status/1182112814707679232

Career so Far

Word was extremely high on Downs before his first season even began; he backed that up by playing in all 13 games his freshman year. On a line full of upperclassmen, Downs was an energetic stand out throughout the season and a Sooner fan favorite.

In 2022, Downs was a starter in every game of the season. He was known for his motor and how hard he worked throughout the year. Downs was the team-leader in TFL, ranking fourth in the Big 12, and tied for the team lead in sacks. Ethan earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors for the season.

2023 was another full year for Ethan Downs. He played in all games, starting all but one. Downs was first on the team in sacks and second in TFL, was named to the All-Big 12 2nd team, and was selected for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Stats

Years: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Career

Games Played: 13 | 13 | 13 | 39

Tackles: 29 | 38 | 41 | 108

TFL: 6.5 | 13.5 | 3 | 23

Sacks: 4.5 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 9.5

INT: 1 | 0 | 0 | 1

FF: 0 | 0 | 1 | 1

FR: 0 | 1 | 0 | 1

Stats via Soonersports.com

This Season

Downs is now a veteran of 39 games, having started 25, and a team leader. He will start at end again this season, with plenty of talent at the spot to line up on the other side and provide depth. In OU’s first season in the SEC, the line will need to perform at a high level; Downs will certainly do his part.