Lathan Ransom injury update: Ryan Day updates latest on Ohio State safety's status

When Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media Tuesday, he declined to confirm or deny rumors surrounding fifth-year safety Lathan Ransom and a potential injury he suffered during the off week.

A day later, after the Buckeyes’ Wednesday practice, Day provided some insight on Ransom’s situation.

“There’s nothing long term there,” Day said. “He’ll be day-to-day right now. He’s improving very well. We’ll see how tomorrow goes.”

Although Ransom missed three tackles at Oregon, per Pro Football Focus, he had missed only three others all season.

He’s allowed just 7.5 yards reception and just one touchdown this year, according to PFF. His 4.5 tackles for loss are tied with sophomore safety Caleb Downs for the second most on the team. Ransom’s forced a pair of fumbles, one against Marshall and another at Michigan State, and he notched a scoop-and-score touchdown in the opener versus Akron.

Ransom has dealt with various injuries throughout his Buckeyes career. He broke his leg on kick return coverage during the Rose Bowl at the end of the 2021 season. He broke a thumb during the 2022 season. Then, last season, he missed the final five games of the year after suffering a Lisfranc tear in his foot.

But, according to Day, whatever Ransom’s dealing with now isn’t long term.

Day was asked Tuesday who the next man up would be at safety.

“Jaylen McClain’s done a nice job. Malik Harford’s done a nice job,” he said.

“Malik’s played some before, and Jaylen’s a good young player. So I’d probably say those guys, if you’re looking at some backups there.”

Hartford’s seen limited defensive action in every game but the last one — a heartbreaking one-point defeat at Oregon — and the same goes for McClain, a head-turning true freshman who also has 47 defensive snaps under his belt this season, per PFF.

Hartford has four tackles so far in 2024, all assisted, whereas McClain has eight, including five solos, one of which was behind the line of scrimmage. McClain’s been a staple on special teams as well, logging 78 snaps in that phase of the game, according to PFF, and notably recording a tackle on teams versus Iowa.

Hartford, though, was the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 3 Ohio prospect in the 2023 cycle, plus he started twice last season when free safety Josh Proctor was sidelined: once in Week 2 against FCS Youngstown State and again in Week 11 against Michigan State.

Hartford lasted only 11 defensive snaps against Youngstown State but did much better in his second go-around, recording a team-high four solo tackles versus Michigan State later in the year. He finished his true freshman campaign with 158 defensive snaps to his name and only five receiving yards allowed on six targets, per PFF, in part thanks to two pass break-ups.