Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes safeties

COLUMBUS — Lettermen Row is in the early stages of Safeties Week by taking a look at the basics of the safeties on the roster at Ohio State.

Let’s dive in with the safeties in the Buckeyes room.

Fifth-year safety Lathan Ransom

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 210 pounds

High school: Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Arizona)

On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Lathan Ransom was ranked as the No. 160 overall player in the country, the No. 9 safety and the No. 5 player in the state of Arizona in the class of 2020.

Picked Buckeyes over: Ransom chose Ohio State over a list of impressive other finalists that included Notre Dame, Texas, LSU and Oklahoma.

Stats at Ohio State: Ransom has 151 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, 11 passes deflected, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his Buckeyes career.

Third-year safety Keenan Nelson Jr.

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 205 pounds

High school: St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star Keenan Nelson Jr. was ranked as the No. 323 overall player in the country, the No. 33 safety and the No. 10 player in the state of Pennsylvania in the class of 2022.

Picked Buckeyes over: Nelson Jr. picked Ohio State out of the transfer portal in a quiet second recruitment. He begin his career at South Carolina, picking the Gamecocks over Penn State.

Stats: Nelson Jr. had 13 total tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass deflection at South Carolina.

Second-year safety Caleb Downs

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 205 pounds

High school: Mill Creek (Hoschton, Georgia)

On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star Caleb Downs was ranked as the No. 5 overall player in the country, the No. 1 safety and the No. 1 player in the state of Georgia in the class of 2023.

Picked Buckeyes over: Downs chose Alabama out of high school before entering the transfer portal after a breakout freshman season. He picked Ohio State over Georgia once he went into the portal.

Stats: Downs has 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in his college career.

On3 scouting summary from Charles Power: Extremely well-rounded safety who has been one of the top prospects in Georgia regardless of class for much of his high school career. Arguably the top high school football player in the nation as a senior. Shows a complete skill set as a cover safety. Has the range to cover hash to boundary with ease. Also is fluid and natural in man coverage. Outstanding ball production with 19 interceptions over his high school career. Instinctual both in coverage and as a cover down defender. Identifies run plays and underneath passes very quickly. An active tackler and highly instinctual, physical run defender. Shows of his athleticism on offense where he sees snaps at multiple skill positions, including quarterback. Employed as a short-yardage runner as a senior, accounting for 25 touchdowns. Has starred while playing against top competition in the Peach State and led his team to a state title in the highest classification as a senior. Comes from strong bloodlines with a father who was an NFL Draft pick and brother who is one of the better receivers in college football.

Second-year safety Malik Hartford

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 194 pounds

High school: Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio)

On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Malik Hartford was ranked as the No. 132 overall player in the country, the No. 11 safety and the No. 3 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2023.

Picked Buckeyes over: Hartford chose Ohio State over Michigan State, Notre Dame, Michigan and Cincinnati

Stats at Ohio State: Hartford tallied 10 total tackles and two pass deflections during his freshman season for the Buckeyes.

On3 scouting summary from Charles Power: Active safety with the frame and on-field demeanor to develop into a physical presence over the middle of the field at the college level. … Lines up in a center field safety role for his high school, but also rolls into the box as a run defender at times. Shows good play speed and effort as a pursuit defender and can run down plays from the backside. Diagnoses and triggers quickly in defending runs and the quick game. Flies downhill with vigor. Willing to throw his body around and not afraid to dish out contact. Highly productive as a special teamer with six blocked kicks as a junior. Also saw some time at receiver. Will need to continue honing his coverage technique. Should see his tackling and striking power improve as he gets stronger.

Second-year safety Jayden Bonsu

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 207 pounds

High school: St. Peter’s Prep (Newark, New Jersey)

On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Jayden Bonsu was ranked as the No. 283 overall player in the country, the No. 23 safety and the No. 4 player in the state of New Jersey in the class of 2023.

Picked Buckeyes over: Bonsu picked the Buckeyes over Michigan State, Penn State, Alabama, and Miami. 

Stats at Ohio State: Bonsu has 0 career stats for the Buckeyes.

On3 scouting summary from Charles Power: Physical back half defender with striking power and versatility. Well-built and physically-developed. … Has good length at safety with arms over 32 inches. Plays in multiple spots for one of the top talent-producing high school programs in New Jersey. Rolls into the box, covers in the slot and plays deep safety at various times. A violent striker who levels ball carriers on impact. Tackles with form, driving through. Shows good anticipation in coverage, undercutting routes. Could potentially grow into a linebacker long-term.

Freshman safety Jaylen McClain

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 192 pounds

High school: Seton Hall Prep (Rahway, New Jersey)

On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Jaylen McClain was ranked as the No. 490 overall player in the country, the No. 44 safety and the No. 8 player in the state of New Jersey in the class of 2024.

Picked Buckeyes over: McClain picked the Buckeyes over over USC, Notre Dame, and Oregon.

On3 scouting summary from Charles Power: Heady safety who plays with instincts and effort. Measured in at around 5-foot-11.5, 185 pounds with 31-inch arms prior to his senior season. Instinctual player who shows versatility on the high school level. Registers as a solid athlete. Posted a personal best of 11.06 seconds in the 100 meters as a junior. Recognizes route concepts and triggers to make plays on the ball. Shows solid range working in deep coverage. A physical finisher who flies downhill and looks to deliver hits. Solid tackler who looks to drive through ball carriers on contact. Plays with a strong effort level. Doesn’t give up on plays and will chase down ball carriers in the open field. Needs to improve footwork in coverage. Uncomfortable in his backpedal. Can also shore up his ball skills. Young for cycle, not turning 18 years-old until late June prior to his freshman season in college.

First-year safety Leroy Roker

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 170 pounds

High school: Bishop Verot (Ft. Myers)

On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star Leroy Roker was ranked as the No. 697 overall player in the country, the No. 72 safety and the No. 90 player in the state of Florida in the class of 2024.

Picked Buckeyes over: Roker picked the Buckeyes over Iowa.