Lathan Ransom is the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
On Monday, Ransom received the top weekly honors from the conference after his 13-tackle performance against Notre Dame. With his recognition, Ransom became the first Ohio State player named Big Ten Player of the Week in 2023.
#B1GFootball WEEKLY AWARDS
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 25, 2023
Offensive: @NUFBFamily's Bryce Kirtz
Defensive: @OhioStateFB's Lathan Ransom
Special Teams: @BadgerFootball's Nathanial Vakos
Freshman: @GopherFootball's Darius Taylor
https://t.co/2VcfXtdq4S pic.twitter.com/TotIo5KxIn
Ransom's 13 tackles led Ohio State's defense on Saturday, as Josh Proctor (seven) and Davison Igbinosun, Sonny Styles, Steele Chambers and Sonny Styles (six) were the next-closest Buckeyes in the category. Ransom's 13 tackles were a career-high for the Tucson, Arizona, native, as were his seven solo stops. He also added a quarterback hit on Notre Dame signal-caller Sam Hartman.
A Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist last season, Ransom has been one of the foundational pieces of Jim Knowles' safety-driven defense in 2023. In Ohio State's first four games, Ransom has collected 20 tackles, the fifth-most on the team behind Chambers, Tommy Eichenberg, Tyleik Williams and Igbinosun. He has also recorded 0.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and one forced fumble.
As Ohio State enters its bye week, the Buckeyes rank sixth nationally in total defense and second in scoring defense, allowing an average of 255.5 yards and 8.5 points per game to Indiana, Youngstown State, Western Kentucky and Notre Dame.
Ransom is the first Ohio State player to win a Big Ten award in 2023. Last season, six Buckeyes earned a Big Ten Player of the Week award from the conference, including quarterback C.J. Stroud (three times), wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, running back Miyan Williams, kicker Noah Ruggles and defensive end JT Tuimoloau.
