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Josh Downs
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Joshua Downs (born August 12, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Colts in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Downs was born on August 12, 2001, in Suwanee, Georgia, and attended North Gwinnett High School.[1] During his high school career he had 187 receptions for 3,019 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was selected to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl. He committed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to play college football.[2]
College career
[edit]Freshman
[edit]As a true freshman at North Carolina in 2020, Downs appeared in 10 games. Playing primarily on special teams, he had seven receptions for 119 yards and three touchdowns. The first touchdown reception of his college career came against N.C. State in Carolina's 48–21 victory. His breakout performance came in the Orange Bowl, where he filled in for Dyami Brown, who, along with Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, and Chazz Surratt, had opted out of the bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft. Downs caught four passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown on a broken play that gave the Tar Heels a 27–20 lead early in the fourth quarter. He was the team's leading receiver in the 41–27 loss to Texas A&M.[3]
Sophomore
[edit]Heading into the 2021 season, Downs was projected to be the team's number one receiver.[4][5] In the season-opening loss against Virginia Tech, Downs caught eight passes for 123 yards and a touchdown as the Tar Heels failed to mount a successful second half comeback.[6] Two weeks later against Virginia, he caught eight passes for 203 receiving yards and two touchdowns, setting a career high in the process.[7] Downs' 203 receiving yards against the Cavaliers were the eighth most in a single game in Tar Heel history.[8] Against Wake Forest, he only caught four passes for 35 yards, both season lows. However, his 35 receiving yards against the Demon Deacons made him just the seventh player in school history to gain 1,000 or more receiving yards in a single season.[9] With eight receptions against Wofford, Downs moved into second place behind Ryan Switzer for most receptions in a single season as a Tar Heel with 90.
In the regular season finale, a 34–30 loss against NC State, Downs broke both Switzer's single season receptions record and Hakeem Nicks' single season receiving yards record. He recorded three more catches in the Duke's Mayo Bowl loss to South Carolina, finishing his record-breaking 2021 season with 101 catches for 1,335 yards and eight touchdowns.[10]
Junior
[edit]Solidified as the Tar Heels' top receiver after his record-setting sophomore season, Downs was once again a featured piece in the Tar Heel offense. He was named to the preseason All-ACC team at the wide receiver and specialist (punt returner) positions, and was selected to the preseason AP All-American second-team at the wide receiver position.
In the season opener against FAMU, Downs recorded nine catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns.[11] On his final catch of the game, Downs was injured and missed the next two games against Appalachian State and Georgia State. He returned against Notre Dame, and caught five passes for 32 yards and two touchdowns in the Tar Heels' 45–32 loss.[12] Against Miami, Downs caught another touchdown pass, moving him into a tie for tenth place all time in Carolina history with 16 receiving touchdowns. He continued to post solid statistics the rest of the regular season, recording four games with 11-plus receptions, and recording another 1,000 yard receiving season. Against Wake Forest, he caught three touchdown passes, moving him to second all-time behind Quinshad Davis for UNC career touchdown receptions with 22. In what was his final game as a Tar Heel, the 2022 ACC Championship Game against Clemson, Downs caught 11 passes for 100 yards in the 39–10 loss to the Tigers.[13]
Downs finished his Carolina career with 2,483 receiving yards (the fourth most in school history), 202 career receptions (third most at UNC), and multiple school records at the wide receiver position. He declared for the NFL draft following conference championship week, opting out of the Holiday Bowl in the process.[14]
College statistics
[edit]| North Carolina Tar Heels | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | G | Rec | Yards | Avg | TDs | |||||||||
| 2020 | 10 | 7 | 119 | 17.0 | 3 | |||||||||
| 2021 | 13 | 101 | 1,335 | 13.2 | 8 | |||||||||
| 2022 | 11 | 94 | 1,029 | 10.9 | 11 | |||||||||
| Career | 34 | 202 | 2,483 | 12.3 | 22 | |||||||||
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 8+3⁄4 in (1.75 m) |
171 lb (78 kg) |
30+3⁄8 in (0.77 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
4.48 s | 1.49 s | 2.53 s | 4.15 s | 6.75 s | 38.5 in (0.98 m) |
10 ft 11 in (3.33 m) | ||
| Sources:[15][16] | ||||||||||||
Downs was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round, 79th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. The Colts previously obtained the 79th overall pick in a trade that sent Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders.[17] In Week 6, against the Jaguars, he scored his first professional touchdown on a two-yard reception from Gardner Minshew.[18] In Week 7, against the Browns, he had five receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown in the 39–38 loss.[19] He finished his rookie season second on the team in receiving and seventh among all rookies with 68 catches for 771 yards and two touchdowns.[20][21]
In Week 8 of the 2024 season, Downs had four receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans.[22] In the 2024 season, Downs had 72 receptions for 803 yards and five touchdowns.[23]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2023 | IND | 17 | 9 | 68 | 771 | 11.3 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | IND | 14 | 8 | 72 | 803 | 11.2 | 69 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 31 | 17 | 140 | 1,574 | 11.2 | 69 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Personal life
[edit]Downs' father, Gary, played college football for NC State and is now an assistant coach.[24] His uncle, Dré Bly, also played with the Tar Heels and 11 years in the NFL.[25] His younger brother, Caleb, is a safety who played his freshman season at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State.[26]
References
[edit]- ^ Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2023 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic. p. 249. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ Newman, Logan (February 13, 2019). "Four-star 2020 WR Josh Downs commits to North Carolina". USA TODAY High School Sports.
- ^ "Orange Bowl - Texas A&M vs North Carolina Box Score, January 2, 2021". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Fowler, Chapel (April 5, 2021). "Josh Downs, UNC football's 'best receiver' this spring, is ready for a breakout year". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Adam (May 6, 2021). "Speedy potential of UNC receiver Josh Downs isn't expected to be slowed by foot surgery". Burlington Times News. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Adam (September 9, 2021). "Stellar season debut casts speedy UNC receiver Josh Downs as emerging star in the making". Burlington Times News. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ "Virginia at North Carolina Box Score, September 18, 2021". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Hall, Gregory (September 19, 2021). "Josh Downs' Career Night Against Virginia". 247sports.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Kimmel, Mark (November 9, 2021). "Inside The Numbers: Wake Forest Game". GoHeels.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ "Josh Downs 2021 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "Florida A&M at North Carolina Box Score, August 27, 2022". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "Notre Dame at North Carolina Box Score, September 24, 2022". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "Clemson vs North Carolina Box Score, December 3, 2022". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Gregson, Robert (December 10, 2022). "2023 NFL Draft: Josh Downs Declares for Draft". si.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Josh Downs Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Josh Downs College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ Stankevitz, JJ (April 28, 2023). "Colts select North Carolina WR Josh Downs with No. 79 overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft". Colts.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Hickey, Kevin (October 15, 2023). "WATCH: Colts' Josh Downs scores first career touchdown". Colts Wire. USA Today. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts - October 22nd, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "2023 NFL Receiving". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans - October 27th, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ "Josh Downs 2024 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Holloway, Jeremiah (May 1, 2023). "Colts Find 'Human Chain Mover' in NFL Draft With UNC's Josh Downs". 247Sports. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Grandberry, Jaleel (June 21, 2023). "Colts rookie WR Josh Downs explains how he's leaning on his father's NFL experience". Horseshoe Heroes. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Moore, Raven (November 15, 2023). "From Marvin Harrison Jr. to Caleb Downs, Colts' family ties in college football run deep". www.colts.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Josh Downs on Twitter
- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Indianapolis Colts bio
- North Carolina Tar Heels bio
Josh Downs
View on GrokipediaEarly life and high school
Family and upbringing
Josh Downs was born on August 12, 2001, in Suwanee, Georgia.[8] He grew up in the same suburb of Atlanta, immersed in a household with deep athletic roots that emphasized discipline and competition from an early age.[9] As the middle child of three siblings, Downs was raised by parents Gary and Tanya Downs.[10] His father, Gary Downs, is a former NFL fullback who played for the New York Giants in 1994, the Atlanta Falcons from 1995 to 1999, and the Denver Broncos in 2000.[11] Tanya Downs, a graduate of North Carolina State University, provided steady support alongside Gary's coaching influence.[12] Downs' siblings include an older sister, Kameron, and a younger brother, Caleb Downs, who plays as a safety for the Ohio State Buckeyes as of the 2025 season.[9] The family's strong ties to football shaped Downs' early years, with his father's professional experience fostering frequent discussions about the game and regular viewings of NFL matches.[9] Gary often served as Downs' first coach, starting informal sessions in their home basement when Downs was just six years old, which ignited his passion for the sport.[9] This environment, combined with the family's North Carolina connections through Tanya's alma mater, created a foundation of athletic encouragement without formal pressure.[12]High school career
Josh Downs attended North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia.[13] Over his four-year varsity career, he amassed 187 receptions for 3,019 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns.[14][13] As a senior in 2019, Downs recorded 83 receptions for 1,290 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading North Gwinnett to a 12-2 record and the Georgia Class 7A state semifinals.[13] He earned first-team all-state honors that year.[15] Downs also excelled in basketball, averaging 15 points per game as a senior, and track & field, where he won the Georgia state championship in the 200-meter dash as a sophomore.[2] Rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports, Downs ranked as the No. 94 overall player nationally, the No. 17 wide receiver in his class, and the No. 13 recruit in Georgia.[16] He committed to the University of North Carolina on February 13, 2019, selecting the Tar Heels over numerous other scholarship offers, including those from Georgia and LSU.[17]College career
2020 season
As a true freshman in the 2020 season, which was shortened and disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh Downs appeared in all 10 games for the North Carolina Tar Heels, primarily contributing on special teams and as a slot receiver under head coach Mack Brown.[5][18] He adjusted to the college level with limited offensive snaps, focusing on learning the playbook and earning rotational opportunities behind established wideouts.[19] Downs recorded 7 receptions for 119 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 17.0 yards per catch, with his production concentrated in key moments.[19] His first career touchdown came on a 17-yard reception against NC State on October 24.[20] Downs capped the season with his most notable performance in the Orange Bowl against Texas A&M, hauling in 4 catches for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 75-yard score that highlighted his speed and playmaking potential despite the Tar Heels' 41-27 loss.[21][5]2021 season
In his sophomore season, Josh Downs established himself as a key component of the North Carolina Tar Heels' offense, starting 12 of 13 games and primarily operating out of the slot receiver position.[19] Building on a limited role during his 2020 freshman year, Downs became a reliable target for quarterback Sam Howell, contributing significantly to the team's passing attack.[5] Downs shattered the UNC single-season receptions record with 101 catches for 1,335 yards and 8 touchdowns, leading the ACC in receptions while ranking second in the conference in receiving yards.[19] His prolific output highlighted his route-running precision and ability to create separation in short-to-intermediate areas, accounting for a substantial portion of the Tar Heels' passing production.[22] For his efforts, Downs earned first-team All-ACC honors and was named a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, recognizing the nation's top receiver.[23][24] A highlight of the season came on September 18 against Virginia, where he hauled in 8 receptions for 203 yards and a touchdown, powering a 59-39 win.[25] The Tar Heels concluded the year with a 6-7 overall record and a 3-5 mark in ACC play.[22]2022 season
In 2022, Josh Downs served as the primary wide receiver for the North Carolina Tar Heels during his junior season, starting 11 of the team's 12 regular-season games despite dealing with minor injuries early in the year. He suffered a knee sprain in the season opener against Florida A&M on August 27, which limited his participation in that game and caused him to miss the subsequent game against Georgia State before returning against Notre Dame on September 24, where he recorded five receptions for 32 yards and two touchdowns, helping to anchor the Tar Heels' passing attack led by quarterback Drake Maye.[26][27][28] Despite the injury setbacks, Downs delivered a prolific performance, finishing the season with 94 receptions for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns across 11 games played. His reception total led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), marking the second straight year he paced the league in that category, while his touchdown haul tied for the ACC lead.[19][29] Key highlights included a career-high 15 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown in a 31-28 win over Virginia on November 5, as well as 11 catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns—another personal best—in a 36-34 victory against Wake Forest on November 12.[28] These efforts underscored his reliability as a slot receiver, drawing frequent targets in North Carolina's high-octane offense that averaged over 40 points per game during an 8-1 stretch mid-season. Downs earned first-team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive season, recognizing his impact despite the Tar Heels' 9-3 regular-season finish and appearance in the Holiday Bowl.[29] Following the campaign, he opted out of the Holiday Bowl against Oregon and declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on December 9, forgoing his senior year of eligibility to pursue a professional career.[30][31]College statistics
During his three seasons at the University of North Carolina, Josh Downs appeared in 34 games, making 23 starts as a wide receiver.[32] The following table summarizes his year-by-year receiving statistics:| Year | Games | Starts | Receptions | Yards | Average | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 119 | 17.0 | 3 |
| 2021 | 13 | 12 | 101 | 1,335 | 13.2 | 8 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 | 94 | 1,029 | 10.9 | 11 |
| Career | 34 | 23 | 202 | 2,483 | 12.3 | 22 |
Professional career
Pre-draft process
Following his standout college career at North Carolina, where he amassed 202 receptions for 2,483 yards and 22 touchdowns over three seasons, Josh Downs entered the 2023 NFL Draft as a mid-round prospect, projected for Day 2 selection due to concerns over his 5-foot-9 frame despite his exceptional production as a slot receiver.[34][35] Scouting reports highlighted his quickness and route-running savvy as assets that could mitigate size limitations, positioning him as a potential third-round pick with comparisons to smaller, productive NFL slots like Tyler Lockett.[36][37] Downs participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he measured 5-foot-9 and 171 pounds, then ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, showcasing adequate straight-line speed for his size.[38] His performance, including a 38.5-inch vertical jump, reinforced projections of him as a strong slot option capable of separating in short areas, though some evaluators noted it fell short of pre-combine expectations for sub-4.4 speed.[39][40] At North Carolina's Pro Day on March 27, 2023, Downs opted not to re-run the 40-yard dash or jumping drills, instead focusing on position-specific workouts that emphasized his precise route running and yards-after-catch (YAC) ability through shuttle and three-cone drills.[41] Scouts, including those from the Pittsburgh Steelers, praised the session as one of the cleanest they had observed, highlighting his effortless agility and body control in demonstrating short-area quickness and elusiveness.[42][43] The Indianapolis Colts selected Downs in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 79th overall pick, valuing his slot versatility and production to bolster their receiving corps.[3] This selection aligned with pre-draft evaluations that saw him as a high-upside mid-round talent, particularly for teams seeking a reliable underneath threat.[35]2023 season
Downs entered the NFL as a third-round selection (79th overall) by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft.[1] As a rookie, he quickly established himself as the team's primary slot receiver and punt returner, appearing in all 17 games with nine starts.[1] His role involved lining up predominantly in the slot, where he provided reliable targets for quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Anthony Richardson, contributing to the Colts' balanced passing attack amid a competitive AFC South schedule.[44] In his debut season, Downs recorded 68 receptions for 771 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 11.3 yards per catch with a longest reception of 59 yards.[45] He also handled punt return duties, logging six returns for 63 yards.[1] Early in the year, Downs showed promise with consistent production, including a standout performance of five catches for 125 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns, helping the Colts secure a 39-38 victory.[46] Downs' 68 receptions set the Indianapolis Colts' franchise record for most catches by a rookie wide receiver, surpassing previous marks held by Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison (64 in 1996) and Bill Brooks (65 in 1984).[47] His contributions were integral to the Colts' 9-8 regular-season record, which included a playoff-clinching win in the finale despite finishing second in the AFC South.[48]2024 season
In his second NFL season, Josh Downs appeared in 14 games for the Indianapolis Colts, starting eight, after missing three contests due to a knee injury sustained in Week 8 that limited him in Weeks 9 and 10 before sidelining him for the final three games.[45][49] He recorded 72 receptions for 803 yards and five touchdowns, marking improvements in production from his rookie year with more touchdowns and comparable yardage despite fewer games played.[45][1] Downs emerged as a key slot receiver in the Colts' offense, ranking fourth among slot receivers in receptions and fifth in receiving yards according to Pro Football Focus, while his role expanded with increased snap counts averaging over 60% of offensive plays when healthy.[50] A standout performance came in Week 8 against the Houston Texans, where he achieved his first career 100-yard receiving game with 109 yards on four catches, including a 69-yard touchdown that highlighted his speed and route-running precision. This breakout underscored his growing reliability as a target for quarterback Anthony Richardson, contributing to the team's emphasis on developing its young signal-caller amid an offensive scheme rebuild under head coach Shane Steichen. The Colts finished the 2024 season with an 8-9 record, placing second in the AFC South but missing the playoffs, as their offense focused on integrating Richardson's dual-threat abilities while relying on emerging pass-catchers like Downs to stretch defenses and create mismatches.[51] Downs' five touchdowns, including multiple red-zone scores, provided crucial scoring punch during a campaign marked by quarterback inconsistencies and injuries across the receiving corps.[45][52]2025 season
In the 2025 NFL season, Josh Downs maintained his role as the Indianapolis Colts' primary slot receiver and punt returner, participating in all 10 games through Week 10 as of November 18, 2025.[53] He has handled seven punt returns for 68 yards, including 11- and 12-yard gains in Week 9 despite muffing another attempt that led to a Steelers touchdown.[54][55] Through these contests, Downs amassed 36 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 8.8 yards per catch—a dip from his 2024 target share but reflective of a more distributed passing attack.[52] His touchdowns came in Week 6 against the Cardinals (a 5-yard score), Week 8 versus the Titans (10 yards), and Week 9 at the Steelers (4 yards on a spinning reception), marking a three-game scoring streak to close the period. In Week 10 against the Falcons, he added 1 reception for 3 yards.[53][56] Downs has integrated effectively into the Colts' offensive system under coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, contributing to third-down conversions and short-yardage plays amid quarterback Anthony Richardson's development.[57][58] At this point in the season, the Colts hold an 8-2 record and first place in the AFC South, positioning them as strong playoff contenders with one of the league's top-scoring offenses at 32.1 points per game.[59]Professional statistics
Receiving and scoring
Josh Downs has recorded 177 receptions for 1,893 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his NFL career as of Week 10 of the 2025 season.[1] His career averages include 10.7 yards per reception and 6.4 targets per game across 41 games played.[1] The following table summarizes his year-by-year receiving and scoring statistics:[1]| Season | Games Played | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Yards per Reception | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 17 | 68 | 771 | 11.3 | 2 |
| 2024 | 14 | 72 | 803 | 11.2 | 5 |
| 2025 | 10 | 37 | 319 | 8.6 | 3 |
| Career | 41 | 177 | 1,893 | 10.7 | 10 |
Punt returning
Josh Downs has served as the designated punt returner for the Indianapolis Colts since his rookie season in 2023, contributing on special teams in addition to his offensive role.[60] As of Week 10 of the 2025 season, he has recorded 28 punt returns for 279 yards in his career, averaging 10.0 yards per return, with no touchdowns and one fumble lost.[1] His punt returning activity has varied by season, reflecting adjustments in team strategy and his integration into the lineup. In 2023, Downs handled 6 returns for 63 yards, averaging 10.5 yards per return, with a longest of 14 yards.[1] The following year, 2024, saw increased usage with 16 returns totaling 161 yards at a 10.1 average, highlighted by a 23-yard long return.[1] In 2025, he has managed 6 returns for 55 yards through Week 10, averaging 9.2 yards, including a 24-yard long and the season's lone fumble.[1]| Season | Returns | Yards | Average | Longest | TDs | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 63 | 10.5 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 161 | 10.1 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 6 | 55 | 9.2 | 24 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 28 | 279 | 10.0 | 24 | 0 | 1 |
