Broken bones and juice: Why Panthers were drawn to rookie DB’s gritty nature
Lathan Ransom’s thumb was broken. He needed surgery.
But the defensive back from Tuscon, Arizona, knew he wanted to finish an important 2022 conference clash for the Ohio State Buckeyes, no matter what. Down 13-10 in the third quarter against Maryland, Ransom — who broke his thumb during a routine tackle in the first quarter — wanted to make a splash play to put the Buckeyes on top.
It didn’t need to be an interception or a forced fumble. Ransom had a play called specifically for him to block a punt. Special teams coordinator Rob Keys was ready to dial up the call, even with Ransom nursing a disfigured digit.
“They asked me if I wanted to keep playing or not, I said of course,” Ransom recalled last week after being selected with the 122nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. “Actually, they put the punt block in for me that week and (Keys is) asking me if I still want to do it. I was like, you know I can’t block nobody, but I think I could still block the ball, so that was a cool play.”
Ransom launched like a missile to the left of Maryland punter Colton Spangler and batted down the ball off the specialist’s leg. The ball was then recovered by an Ohio State teammate around the 15-yard line, putting the Buckeyes in scoring position.
So, Ransom — who underwent surgery the next day and still played the next week — showed that not only is he gritty enough to overcome broken bones, but he’s also a standout special teams player with great instincts.
That is the type of player Panthers general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales want in Carolina. Ransom is a by-the-books “dawg” and the Panthers’ brain trust has been trying to bring in players like him since they came together last offseason.
With a new-look defense needing more toughness and tenacity, Ransom is the type of young player who can bring both for the foreseeable future, and he showed during his national championship-winning tenure in college that he will do whatever it takes to put wins in the record books and rings on fingers.
“First and foremost, you look for the guys that exhibit that kind of effort and juice, the enthusiasm we talk about, toughness, intelligent play that shows up, playing smart, and a finisher,” Canales said last week. “When you get a chance to talk to this guy, they won a championship for a reason. They had a core of really talented but also really driven players, and we just love being able to bring somebody that has that winning mentality into the building.”
During his time at Ohio State, Ransom was a tone-setter in the secondary. He produced 228 total tackles (16.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, 17 pass breakups, three interceptions and six forced fumbles over five seasons.
On film, his physicality stands out, as he wants to do more than just stop a ball carrier. He wants to put him down with authority. And while he’s in favor of the big hit, he’s also technically sound as a tackler.
“My approach to tackling is something I try to critique myself extremely hard at and get better every day,” Ransom said. “I’m extremely physical, and when I get a chance to make a big hit, I’m going to take that big hit, but then sometimes you’ve got to make the open field tackle and get the ball on the ground. Just knowing your angles, knowing where your help is, knowing where your leverage is, all things I think about when going into tackle.”
Morgan, who was known for making big hits during his playing career, appreciates Ransom’s approach to the game. Not only will Ransom make the big tackle or force a key fumble, he will also rally the troops around him with his energy and intellect.
With a revamped safety room, led by free-agent addition Tre’von Moehrig, Ransom could make an impact early on in his Carolina career. Morgan sees a kindred spirit in the way he plays the game.
“Just watching Lathan’s tape, just the way that he plays the game,” Morgan said. “Again, it goes back to the passion, the energy, and the love of the game that he plays with. You could tell he just enjoys the physical aspects of the game and just being out there with his teammates celebrating each other and just having fun. He’s exciting to watch on tape.”
Ransom enjoys watching Arizona Cardinals All-Pro safety Budda Baker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield and Los Angeles Chargers versatile defensive back Derwin James for style inspiration. All three defensive backs are versatile, as they can play in single-high coverage, in the box, and at the nickel position.
Ransom moved around similarly in the secondary for the Buckeyes. And he’s bringing his trademark toughness with him to Carolina.
“I just feel that I’m an enforcer and a tone-setter,” Ransom said. “Every time I go out there and step on the field, I play with an extremely big chip on my shoulder and just try to set the tone on every chance I get.”
