Carolina Panthers select Lathan Ransom in fourth round of 2025 NFL Draft

Lathan Ransom was a key piece of what have been some great defenses the past half-decade at Ohio State. Now, after ending his collegiate career with a national title, he’s one of several members of that team who has heard his name called in this week’s draft.

The (Carolina Panthers selected Ransom in the fourth of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Ransom appeared in 55 games, 37 of those being starts, at safety for the Buckeyes since 2020. In that career, Ransom posted 227 tackles, 18 being for loss, with 13 deflections, six forced fumbles and a pair of recoveries with one going for a score, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions. His last one was his best of the five, though, with 76 tackles, nine being for loss, with three forced fumbles with his one recovery being for a touchdown, a pair of deflections, a pick, and a sack. That had him fourth on their team in tackles and in a tie for the team-high in forced fumbles on what was the No. 1 defense last fall in college football.

Ransom, a native of Tucson, was a Top-175 recruit as a four-star in the 2020 cycle. He also rated as a Top-10 safety in his class and the No. 5 player out of Arizona. That’s according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Ransom was a solid, foundational contributor for the Buckeyes. He’ll now try to be the same kind of piece for his new defense at the next level in the NFL.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Lathan Ransom

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein assessed Ransom as a valid prospect at safety with his size and skill set being better suited for coming down while also having enough in his game to play in coverage. That’s why he projected him as a third or fourth-round pick in this draft with that kind of reliability at the position setting him as a possible starter in the future.

“Ransom is an experienced starter and natural strong safety with adequate size, all-day toughness and a proactive approach at the position. He plays with decisive eyes and good instincts that place him where he needs to be. He flows hard and fast. He’s a physical striker in run support and as an intimidator over the middle,” wrote Zierlein. “Ransom is at his best playing downhill but can handle split safety duties. He might not have the coverage burst or top-end speed for some individual matchups but does a nice job of sticking to tight ends in man coverage.”

“In total, he’s a disruptive, physical safety who can positively impact games and has future starting potential as a middle-rounder,” Zierlein wrote.