Buckeyes safety Lathan Ransom named semifinalist for Jim Thorpe Award
COLUMBUS — Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom went from an offseason full of rehab and recovery to being one of the best at his position in the country.
People around the country are taking notice of how good the junior safety has been for the Buckeyes through seven games.
Ransom was named a semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the country’s top defensive back. He is one of three Big Ten defensive backs and one of 12 players around the country to be a semifinalist.
Ransom has a chance to become the third Ohio State player to win the Thorpe Award. Antoine Winfield won the honor in 1998 and Malcolm Jenkins captured it in 2008.
The recognition is no surprise to those who are around Ransom day in and day out.
“He just shows up. He’s the guy that jumps off the video,” Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said of Ransom’s play in the first half of the season. “He’s the guy that, during the game as I’m watching it from my vantage point [in the press box], shows up in all the right places. He’s decisive.
“So credit to him. He loves to play football.”
Lathan Ransom has a ProFootball Focus grade of 86.9 through seven games, making him the fourth-highest graded safety in the country.
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It’s a credit to the way he worked back from injury after the Rose Bowl in January. His performance is the payoff from all of that work to return — and be great upon coming back.
“I think you’re seeing what he’s capable of,” head coach Ryan Day said of Ransom. “He’s very intelligent, he’s very athletic, has really good football IQ. … He’s got really good ball skills.
“It’s great to see him healthy, great to see him running around. Now he’s got some games under his belt so I think you’re seeing the best version of Lathan.”
Folks around the country agree. Lathan Ransom is one of the semifinalists for the top defensive back award in the country. He is still in the running for the Thorpe Award.
