The 2025 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom plans on taking full advantage. Ransom recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Ransom also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his approach as a versatile defensive back, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Ransom better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Lathan Ransom: It was another day at the Ohio State facility. We were preparing for an upcoming game when I got my invite. I was definitely excited to get the official invite. I know how much of an honor that is.
A lot of great talents have walked those Senior Bowl halls.
JM: What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Lathan Ransom: I’m excited to get out there and highlight my skill set alongside the best prospects in the country. I’m ready to display my abilities in front of the world.
JM: Speaking of, what are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Lathan Ransom: I want to prove that I’m one of the best defensive backs in the nation. That’s what I want to show everybody, that I’m very versatile. I can do a lot of things for an NFL defense.
JM: How would you describe your overall skill set? You’ve talked about your versatility. Self-scout yourself for me.
Lathan Ransom: I’m someone that jumps off the tape. I play with terrific game speed. A lot of people get caught up in 40 [40-yard dash] times and things of that nature, and don’t get me wrong, I hope to run a great 40, but I think my game speed hits differently on film.
I’m a great tackler that makes a big pop on contact. I’m a versatile safety that can play in the post. I can also match-up in man coverage. I’m an extremely smart football player at the end of the day.
JM: Speaking of that versatility, do you think you can play multiple positions in Mobile, and at the next level?
Lathan Ransom: Yes sir, I definitely can. That’s the plan moving forward.
JM: You had 72 tackles this season. You love coming downhill and supporting the run game. Talk to me about that mentality.
Lathan Ransom: I’ve always been an extremely physical defender. With our scheme at Ohio State, our coaching staff, they allow us to play a fast and physical brand of football. Scheme and good coaching allows me to be that player. I study the right keys and I identify those things on tape.
I play as fast as I wanna play.
JM: Do you think there’s some untapped potential with ball production?
Lathan Ransom: Yeah, I most definitely do. I think the duo we have at Ohio State is the best safety duo in the country. Our ball production might not be as high as others, but we have the potential to make more plays on the ball, for sure.
JM: Are there any defensive backs you like watching and learning from at the next level? Somebody you model your game after maybe?
Lathan Ransom: I like Budda Baker and Antoine Winfield Jr. a lot. Those are two safeties I watch a lot of film on. I watched a lot of Brandon Jones on the Denver Broncos this year as well. He stuck out to me a lot. He’s more of a nickel, but I like Jalen Pitre’s game. I love watching all of those dudes.
JM: Fun question before we let you go. What’s on Lathan Ransom’s pre-game playlist?
Lathan Ransom: Gospel music in the morning, and then NBA Youngboy before the game.
JM: Those might clash a little (laughs). I’m not sure gospel music and NBA Youngboy get along that well.
Lathan Ransom: Yeah, man (laughs). I see that, but that’s what gets me going (laughs).
JM: This has been a lot of fun (laughs). At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Lathan Ransom?
Lathan Ransom: It means I went out there and competed at the highest level. I’m going to play hard, I’m going to be an excellent communicator. I’m going to be the leader in Mobile.
