NORMAN — University of Oklahoma defensive end Ethan Downs has been named a finalist for the 2023 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, it was announced today by Athletes for a Better World.
 
Downs is one of 26 finalists for the award, which is open to college athletes of all sports and will be presented to one male and one female student-athlete. Award recipients are athletes of excellence both on and off the field, and role models as both performers and people. Winners will be announced in early January.
 
A sophomore from Weatherford, Okla., Downs has embraced a leadership role on the OU football team and has taken part in several leadership and service activities as a Sooner. In May, he was part of a group of Oklahoma football players that participated in a service trip to Miami Gardens, Fla., organized by OU's SOUL Mission program. The student-athletes helped with an elementary school beautification project and mentored students, encouraging them to achieve academic excellence.
 
Downs has served as a counselor for week-long camps and other events for terminally ill patients at the OU Children's Hospital. He has also participated in Art with a Heart, a philanthropic event benefitting the Oklahoma Children's Cancer Association, Cavett Kids Foundation and the K Club. Downs has spoken to elementary school students across the state as part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and spoke at an elementary school D.A.R.E. graduation in his hometown. He also donated funds raised through autograph sessions to the Connections Food and Resource Center in Weatherford.
 
This past summer, he was one of two defensive players chosen to represent the team at Big 12 Football Media Days, and was twice selected as a game captain this season (Sept. 24 against Kansas State and Oct. 15 against Kansas).
 
In his first season as a starter for the Sooners, Downs was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection by the league's head coaches. He leads the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and is tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks. He also paces the team with nine QB hurries, recovered a fumble and has been credited with three pass breakups. He made at least three tackles in each of the last six games of the regular season and has 6.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks over the last three contests.
 
Former Sooner defensive back Quinton Carter won the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup in 2011, and former center Ty Darlington was a finalist in 2015.