April 26, 2025 • 8 mins
Lathan Ransom speaks with the media after being drafted by the Panthers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hope on Review.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Hey Lathan, congratulations, I Mike came from the Charlotte Observer. Welcome.
You're known for your physicality. I mean six were swumbles
and three and a half sacks at the safety position.
What is it about you and your mindset on defense
that makes you different, maybe than than the rest of
(00:26):
the crew at safety Coming out of college.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
I just feel that I'm an enforcer in the tone
setter every time I go out there and step on
the field. I played the extreme lee, big chip on
my shoulder, man, and just you know, try to set
the tone on every chance.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
I get this. This was a rough run defense last year.
You're probably gonna be asked to to you know, obviously
helping that. What's your approach to tackling and how how
do you balance the aggression versus the technique?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yeah, man, you know, my posted tackling is something I
try to critique myself extremely hard at and get better
every day. I'm extremely physical, and you know, when I
get a chance to make a big hit, I'm gonna
take that big hit. But then you know, sometimes you
just gotta you know, make over field tackle and get
the ball on the ground, and you know, just knowing
your angles, you know, knowing where your help is, knowing
where your leverages, all things you know, I think about
when going into tackling.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
I mean, this last year has been a pretty special
one for you. I mean in the championship and then
getting drafted. How has this road been the last you know,
several months and getting here and what what has this
this not necessarily conclusion, but the conclusion of the draft
process meant to you.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah, man, it's just, uh, it's been. It's been an
emotional time, man, a lot of ups, lot of downs.
You know, I'm just so blessed and so thankful that,
you know, the Panthers took opportunity on me. You know, man,
it was emotional, you know, last twenty minutes, thirty minutes.
But I'm so excited, man, you know, I can't I
can't wait to you know, get there and just you know,
get to work.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Thanks. All right, We will go with David, followed by
Alex and Joe Hey Lathan.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
David Newton YA fan dot com, congratulations on being drafted
by the Panthers. They really are draft a lot of young,
good defensive players. But that with some already young defensive players.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
What's it.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
What's it feel like, I know, may be a part
of something that's just like with all you guys, kind
of kind of growing the unit together.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yeah, man, I think you know, first I just want
to go in there and just you know, be a
be a locker room guy, you know, do everything I
can to help the team and and help the guys
around me get better. And you know, I'm excited for,
you know, an opportunity to go there and and make
an impact with some younger guys and you know, just
going there and just and just compete.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Do you like that challenge of like having the maybe
one of the young leaders on the defense right away?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yes, sir, I mean, first of all, I'm just going there, man,
just to do my job. And you know, you know,
with the if the opportunity comes, I'll be excited, you know,
to do that. But you know, right now, I'm just
you know, put my head down and grinding. That's that's
what I do.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Thanks a lot, Okay, I'll go ahead, Highlan. This is
Alex Zetlow with the Charlotte Observer. Congratulations and welcome to Carolina.
So I'm curious what are who are some of your
favorite safeties in the league right now that perhaps you
either look up to or model your game after.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
There's a lot of safties I like, man, I think
there's a lot of great safeties out there. I like
Buddha Baker a lot as a dude I've looked up
to it's a long time. I think I see a
lot of comparisons in our game, you know. I like
Antoine Winfield a lot as well, Derwin James, all types
of I mean, I love Javon Holland. I'm just, like
you know, a football fanatic.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Man.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
I love watching film love, you know, trying to learn
and take part to everyone's game. Kyle Hamilton another one
that comes to mind. So you know, man, I'm just
I trying to watch as much films as I can,
you know, to learn from these guys.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
I imagine you've been a football fan and your whole life,
and just like football has been a part of you
for since as far back as you can remember.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yes, sir, Yeah, I mean I started playing football. I
was six years old, seven years old. My mom recorded
my games, my dad trying to coach me through the
film at a young age, and you know, I fell
in love with the game. Man, I think, you know,
it's taught me how to be a man. It's growing
my faith, and you know, it's taught me, you know,
so many different things just in life. So I love football, man,
I'm a guy that you know, just I love the
(04:18):
game and I respect the game.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Awesome.
Speaker 5 (04:22):
Did your dad play football?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, so my dad had played. He went to Mount
Sack but then joined the military. But you know he's
he's been coaching me since a young age man. So
military guy. You know it's hard on me, but you
know I love him and appreciate him for that.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
Awesome And one more, one more questions. Is there a
misconception perhaps about your game that you're looking forward to
making clear and proving people wrong in the NFL?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, man, I mean there probably is some misconceptions out there.
I try not to, you know, pay attention too much
of that. I just you know, watch the film and
you know, try to find ways I know I can
get better at. One thing is you know I played
with a huge ship of my shoulder, and you know
I'm going to continue to do that because you know,
I got a lot of fuel.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Thank Yeah, awesome, Thanks man.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Hey Leith and Joe Person with the athletic congrats. You
mentioned having ups and downs in your career. How would
you rate the foot injury last year? Where would you
place that? Because I had read that you were probably
going to enter the draft, but then you of course
returned to school and win a national championship.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Yeah, so you know when that first happened, you know
the time it happened, it was just shooting hard on me.
When you have so many goals and aspirations, you know,
looking forward to, and then you know it doesn't go
your way. You know, I wouldn't change out for anything,
you know, help me grow my faith with you know,
the Lord, and I felt that he has a plan
and this was his plan came full circle for me
to be a panther man, and you know, I can't wait,
and uh, you know I'm excited, you know, for what
else he has in store for me.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You talked about your physicality earlier. Give us a couple
of your your most favorite hit so obverer the way
last five years.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, I would say my physicality and toughness. I'll give
a I'll give a you know, a cold place for both.
I think for my physicality, you know, the hit against Oregon.
Everyone likes to talk about that. I think that was
a you know, a great hit. I like the two
hits against the you know, the Tennessee running back. And then,
you know, just as toughness I had my junior, I
had broke my thumb the first play the game against
Maryland and then came back in later and blocked the
(06:22):
punt with that same thumb. So those are just you know,
examples of toughness. And uh, you know, I think that's
why the coach of staff at Ohio State and stuff,
you know, uh, you know, respect me so much for that.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Was this one of these deals for you to go
First of all, how did you break the thumb?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
I broke it making the tackle man, And they asked
me if I wanted to keep playing or not, and uh,
I say of course. And uh actually they put the
pump block in for me that week, and he's asked
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.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
So uh that was that was a cool play.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Was this one of these deals that they had to
like pull it back into place on the sideline and.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
It was broke it was.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
It was broke.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
They put a splint on it, but I had surgery,
you know, like that day after that, and you know,
play the next the next the next game. So you know,
I think that's that's the kind of explainsed type of
player I am.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Thank you, man, good luck.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
All right, and we will finish off with Jeff Hawkins
and Cassidy hell.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Readings.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Congratulations.
Speaker 6 (07:18):
This is Jeff Hawkins from the Charlotte Post. This is
just a shameless attempt at a sound bite. But what
do you say the college football fan to question Ohio
State's national championship after losing the Michigan.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
I don't know what they're questioning for. We done played
the four best teams in the country and beat them all,
So I mean, they can question it all they want.
I have a national championship ring and coach days Is
has an extension and all that stuff that they can't change.
Speaker 6 (07:46):
Thanks, good luck, man, thank you, Hey Latham, congratulations, thank you.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
A couple of things you mentioned your dad trying to
watch a film with you when you were six or
seven years old. How do you teach a six year
old how to watch games?
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Yeah, so you know, at that young age. It's not
really x's and oh's, it's really lath and you did
this wrong.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
This is how we corrected. Lathy did this wrong.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
This is how we changed it. So at a young age,
that's what we were doing, and it actually helped my
game develop a lot at such.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
A young age.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
And then what is the key for you to block
and kicks on punts?
Speaker 3 (08:17):
You know, I add a lot of reps that we
do with our Special Teams coordinator and and you know,
it's really just a late hands, low hands. That's that's
what I remember in my head.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Thank you, congratuation, Thanks you
Hope on Review.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Hey Lathan, congratulations, I Mike came from the Charlotte Observer. Welcome.
You're known for your physicality. I mean six were swumbles
and three and a half sacks at the safety position.
What is it about you and your mindset on defense
that makes you different, maybe than than the rest of
(00:26):
the crew at safety Coming out of college.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
I just feel that I'm an enforcer in the tone
setter every time I go out there and step on
the field. I played the extreme lee, big chip on
my shoulder, man, and just you know, try to set
the tone on every chance.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
I get this. This was a rough run defense last year.
You're probably gonna be asked to to you know, obviously
helping that. What's your approach to tackling and how how
do you balance the aggression versus the technique?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yeah, man, you know, my posted tackling is something I
try to critique myself extremely hard at and get better
every day. I'm extremely physical, and you know, when I
get a chance to make a big hit, I'm gonna
take that big hit. But then you know, sometimes you
just gotta you know, make over field tackle and get
the ball on the ground, and you know, just knowing
your angles, you know, knowing where your help is, knowing
where your leverages, all things you know, I think about
when going into tackling.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
I mean, this last year has been a pretty special
one for you. I mean in the championship and then
getting drafted. How has this road been the last you know,
several months and getting here and what what has this
this not necessarily conclusion, but the conclusion of the draft
process meant to you.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah, man, it's just, uh, it's been. It's been an
emotional time, man, a lot of ups, lot of downs.
You know, I'm just so blessed and so thankful that,
you know, the Panthers took opportunity on me. You know, man,
it was emotional, you know, last twenty minutes, thirty minutes.
But I'm so excited, man, you know, I can't I
can't wait to you know, get there and just you know,
get to work.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Thanks. All right, We will go with David, followed by
Alex and Joe Hey Lathan.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
David Newton YA fan dot com, congratulations on being drafted
by the Panthers. They really are draft a lot of young,
good defensive players. But that with some already young defensive players.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
What's it.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
What's it feel like, I know, may be a part
of something that's just like with all you guys, kind
of kind of growing the unit together.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yeah, man, I think you know, first I just want
to go in there and just you know, be a
be a locker room guy, you know, do everything I
can to help the team and and help the guys
around me get better. And you know, I'm excited for,
you know, an opportunity to go there and and make
an impact with some younger guys and you know, just
going there and just and just compete.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Do you like that challenge of like having the maybe
one of the young leaders on the defense right away?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yes, sir, I mean, first of all, I'm just going there, man,
just to do my job. And you know, you know,
with the if the opportunity comes, I'll be excited, you know,
to do that. But you know, right now, I'm just
you know, put my head down and grinding. That's that's
what I do.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Thanks a lot, Okay, I'll go ahead, Highlan. This is
Alex Zetlow with the Charlotte Observer. Congratulations and welcome to Carolina.
So I'm curious what are who are some of your
favorite safeties in the league right now that perhaps you
either look up to or model your game after.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
There's a lot of safties I like, man, I think
there's a lot of great safeties out there. I like
Buddha Baker a lot as a dude I've looked up
to it's a long time. I think I see a
lot of comparisons in our game, you know. I like
Antoine Winfield a lot as well, Derwin James, all types
of I mean, I love Javon Holland. I'm just, like
you know, a football fanatic.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Man.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
I love watching film love, you know, trying to learn
and take part to everyone's game. Kyle Hamilton another one
that comes to mind. So you know, man, I'm just
I trying to watch as much films as I can,
you know, to learn from these guys.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
I imagine you've been a football fan and your whole life,
and just like football has been a part of you
for since as far back as you can remember.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yes, sir, Yeah, I mean I started playing football. I
was six years old, seven years old. My mom recorded
my games, my dad trying to coach me through the
film at a young age, and you know, I fell
in love with the game. Man, I think, you know,
it's taught me how to be a man. It's growing
my faith, and you know, it's taught me, you know,
so many different things just in life. So I love football, man,
I'm a guy that you know, just I love the
(04:18):
game and I respect the game.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Awesome.
Speaker 5 (04:22):
Did your dad play football?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, so my dad had played. He went to Mount
Sack but then joined the military. But you know he's
he's been coaching me since a young age man. So
military guy. You know it's hard on me, but you
know I love him and appreciate him for that.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
Awesome And one more, one more questions. Is there a
misconception perhaps about your game that you're looking forward to
making clear and proving people wrong in the NFL?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, man, I mean there probably is some misconceptions out there.
I try not to, you know, pay attention too much
of that. I just you know, watch the film and
you know, try to find ways I know I can
get better at. One thing is you know I played
with a huge ship of my shoulder, and you know
I'm going to continue to do that because you know,
I got a lot of fuel.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Thank Yeah, awesome, Thanks man.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Hey Leith and Joe Person with the athletic congrats. You
mentioned having ups and downs in your career. How would
you rate the foot injury last year? Where would you
place that? Because I had read that you were probably
going to enter the draft, but then you of course
returned to school and win a national championship.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Yeah, so you know when that first happened, you know
the time it happened, it was just shooting hard on me.
When you have so many goals and aspirations, you know,
looking forward to, and then you know it doesn't go
your way. You know, I wouldn't change out for anything,
you know, help me grow my faith with you know,
the Lord, and I felt that he has a plan
and this was his plan came full circle for me
to be a panther man, and you know, I can't wait,
and uh, you know I'm excited, you know, for what
else he has in store for me.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You talked about your physicality earlier. Give us a couple
of your your most favorite hit so obverer the way
last five years.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, I would say my physicality and toughness. I'll give
a I'll give a you know, a cold place for both.
I think for my physicality, you know, the hit against Oregon.
Everyone likes to talk about that. I think that was
a you know, a great hit. I like the two
hits against the you know, the Tennessee running back. And then,
you know, just as toughness I had my junior, I
had broke my thumb the first play the game against
Maryland and then came back in later and blocked the
(06:22):
punt with that same thumb. So those are just you know,
examples of toughness. And uh, you know, I think that's
why the coach of staff at Ohio State and stuff,
you know, uh, you know, respect me so much for that.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Was this one of these deals for you to go
First of all, how did you break the thumb?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
I broke it making the tackle man, And they asked
me if I wanted to keep playing or not, and uh,
I say of course. And uh actually they put the
pump block in for me that week, and he's asked
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.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
So uh that was that was a cool play.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Was this one of these deals that they had to
like pull it back into place on the sideline and.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
It was broke it was.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
It was broke.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
They put a splint on it, but I had surgery,
you know, like that day after that, and you know,
play the next the next the next game. So you know,
I think that's that's the kind of explainsed type of
player I am.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Thank you, man, good luck.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
All right, and we will finish off with Jeff Hawkins
and Cassidy hell.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Readings.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Congratulations.
Speaker 6 (07:18):
This is Jeff Hawkins from the Charlotte Post. This is
just a shameless attempt at a sound bite. But what
do you say the college football fan to question Ohio
State's national championship after losing the Michigan.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
I don't know what they're questioning for. We done played
the four best teams in the country and beat them all,
So I mean, they can question it all they want.
I have a national championship ring and coach days Is
has an extension and all that stuff that they can't change.
Speaker 6 (07:46):
Thanks, good luck, man, thank you, Hey Latham, congratulations, thank you.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
A couple of things you mentioned your dad trying to
watch a film with you when you were six or
seven years old. How do you teach a six year
old how to watch games?
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Yeah, so you know, at that young age. It's not
really x's and oh's, it's really lath and you did
this wrong.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
This is how we corrected. Lathy did this wrong.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
This is how we changed it. So at a young age,
that's what we were doing, and it actually helped my
game develop a lot at such.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
A young age.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
And then what is the key for you to block
and kicks on punts?
Speaker 3 (08:17):
You know, I add a lot of reps that we
do with our Special Teams coordinator and and you know,
it's really just a late hands, low hands. That's that's
what I remember in my head.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Thank you, congratuation, Thanks you
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