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Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom selected by Carolina Panthers with 122nd pick in NFL Draft

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook•04/26/25•

SpencerHolbrook

Lathan Ransom
Ohio State SAF Lathan Ransom (© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom is officially off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft: he was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 122nd pick in the draft on Saturday.

Ransom spent five years with the Buckeyes, winning two Rose Bowls, a Cotton Bowl and a Big Ten championship. He also capped his college football career with a national title win as part of the four-game run in the College Football Playoff this past season.

He’s the ninth Buckeyes player to be selected in this draft.

The former four-star prospect from Tucson, Arizona, was an immediate contributor for the Buckeyes all the way back in 2020, when he appeared in seven games. During his college career, he played in 56 games with 227 combined tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, 13 pass deflections, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was a cornerstone of the Ohio State defense.

But his draft stock has been slowed down by injury concerns. Ransom broke his leg at the 2022 Rose Bowl and had a foot injury that forced him out of the back half of the 2023 season.

After an incredible 2024 campaign in which he helped Ohio State win the national championship, though, Lathan Ransom is now a member of the Carolina Panthers. His NFL career will begin after he was drafted in the fourth round on Saturday.

Four Buckeyes selected in first round of 2025 NFL Draft

Ohio State had four players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (19th overall), offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (24th overall), defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (28th overall) and left tackle Josh Simmons (32nd overall) were taken — two of them heading to the NFC North as Jackson will be in Minnesota while Williams is heading to Detroit. Egbuka was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Simmons went to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Day Two picks…

Running back Quinshon Judkins went No. 36 overall to the Cleveland Browns. Running TreVeyon Henderson went two picks later at No. 38 to the New England Patriots, and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau was selected at No. 45 overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

Ohio State players still available

TE Gee Scott Jr.
OT Josh Fryar
OL Seth McLaughlin
LB Cody Simon
CB Denzel Burke
DB Jordan Hancock

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