Replacing Lathan Ransom: Safety Search Is Ongoing

This is the seventh in a series looking at how the Buckeyes will be replacing their departed starters in 2025. Up next is the strong safety spot vacated by fifth-year senior Lathan Ransom.

Lathan Ransom is now one of just five Buckeyes in school history who are five-year letter winners. He finished his career at Ohio State as a three-year starter, and that’s not counting the four starts in 2021 as a second-year player. Ransom was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection in 2022 and 2023.

In his final season as a Buckeye, Lathan Ransom finished fourth on the team with 76 tackles, fifth in tackles for loss (9.0), and tied for first with three forced fumbles. He earned First-Team All-Big Ten accolades from the conference coaches in 2024. Ransom’s nine tackles for loss were the most for an Ohio State defensive back since cornerback Antonio Smith had 10 in 2006.

Despite dealing with a couple of significant injuries in his career, Lathan Ransom is leaving Ohio State as one of its most complete defenders in recent memory — and one half of the best safety duo in school history with returning free safety Caleb Downs.

The Candidates

There is a possibility that the replacement for Lathan Ransom could simply be All-American free safety Caleb Downs moving over/down to strong safety, but that may also depend on what the Ohio State defensive scheme looks like this year. There is still a defensive hire for head coach Ryan Day to make following the departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Even if Downs stays where he is, there are still some legitimate options on hand to replace Ransom.

Jaylen McClain won the job as the backup strong safety as a true freshman. Malik Hartford was the backup free safety last season as a sophomore. Along with Downs, this trio represents the only returning safeties on the Ohio State roster who saw snaps on defense last season.

Keenan Nelson transferred in last year after playing quite a bit at South Carolina. Last year was a learning experience for him. The same can be said for 2024 true freshman Leroy Roker who only saw action in two games on special teams. The Buckeyes also signed a trio of talented safeties in the 2025 recruiting class. Faheem Delane, Cody Haddad, and DeShawn Stewart are all on campus looking to start off on a good foot.

Spring Outlook

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Caleb Downs get somewhat of a break during spring ball, which means you’ll probably see Malik Hartford and Jaylen McClain continuing to play alongside each other more than competing against each other for the vacant starting safety spot.

McClain was the only non-starting safety to play in every game last season. In fact, he actually started a game last year in place of Ransom. Hartford started twice as a true freshman in 2023, so both players have made early marks as Buckeyes. The rest of the safety group is unproven, so a depth chart does need to start materializing.

If Hartford is at free safety with Downs, then who is at strong safety with McClain?

Best Bet

The best bet to replace Lathan Ransom right now is rising sophomore Jaylen McClain. Winning the job as Ransom’s backup as a true freshman was impressive, but there was not a ton of other options. That being said, safeties coach Matt Guerrieri loves the way McClain studies the game and finds the football.

Malik Hartford should be be one of OSU’s top three safeties this season. Whoever is No. 2 between he and McClain will be the starter opposite Caleb Downs, wherever that position may be. The free safety and strong safety positions shouldn’t be so different that multiple players couldn’t play both at some point this year.

The Ohio State safety position is very young this year. Spring camp and fall camp are going to be significant in making the position older. Only the games will make them more experienced, however.

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