
Panthers select S Lathan Ransom with 122nd overall pick of 2025 NFL draft
Panthers select S Lathan Ransom with 122nd overall pick of 2025 NFL draft
Maybe Lathan Ransom was the perfect Day 3 pick for the Carolina Panthers after all.
The Panthers, at the 122nd overall spot of the 2025 NFL draft, selected Ransom—the standout safety from the Ohio State University.
A Tuscon, Ariz. native, Ransom played at Columbus, Ohio from 2020 to 2024. Over that five-year run, he amassed 227 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and 13 passes defensed.
Ransom, as a starter for the 2024 College Football Playoff national champion Buckeyes, recorded 76 tackles, a pick and a sack this past season. He was named a first-team All-Big Ten member for his efforts.
Prior to selecting Ransom, the Panthers had just three safeties on their current roster—Demani Richardson, Nick Scott and free-agent signee Tre'von Moehrig. Moehrig, a former Las Vegas Raider, joined Carolina on a three-year, $51 million pact earlier this offseason.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 93
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 93 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There are 93 days left until the New Orleans Saints start their 2025 regular season with an opening showdown against the Arizona Cardinals. Advertisement Wearing number 93 for the Saints this year will be defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd. He's in his third year with the team and entering his eighth NFL season overall. Let's have a look at Shepherd, along with the other players that have worn 93 during a regular season game for New Orleans. Saints History of 93 Sep 18, 2023; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd (93) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9). Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images • Gary Lewis, DT (1983) • Kevin Young, DE (1987) • Wayne Martin, DE (1989-99) • Darren Howard, DE (2000-05) • Rob Ninkovich, DE (2006) • Josh Savage, DE (2007) • Bobby McCray, DE (2008-09) • Junior Galette, DE (2010-14) • Kevin Williams, DT (2015) • David Onyemata, DT (2016-22) • Nathan Shepherd, DT (2023-present) Sep 29, 1991; New Orleans Saints defensive end Wayne Martin (93) against the Atlanta Falcons. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images Lewis, a fourth-round pick in 1983, was the first to don 93 for the Saints. He only played that season in the NFL, appearing in six games and not registering a tackle. Young was next to wear 93, appearing in one game as a replacement player during the 1987 player strike. Advertisement The Saints used the 19th overall choice in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft on Wayne Martin out of Arkansas. Martin would go on to have an outstanding 11-year career, all in New Orleans. He played in 173 of a possible 179 contests, earning 2nd Team All-Pro in 1992 and a Pro Bowl berth in the 1994 season. Martin recorded 82.5 sacks during his Saints career, adding 25 fumbles forced or recovered and an interception. He had five years of double-digit sack totals and ranks third in franchise history in that category. In 2003, Martin was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. New Orleans Saints defensive end Darren Howard (93). Credit: When Martin retired after the 1999 season, the Saints replaced him more than aptly with Darren Howard, a second-round choice in the 2000 NFL Draft out of Kansas State. Howard was an underrated member of a ferocious defensive line through the early 2000s, spending six years in New Orleans. Advertisement Howard played in 81 games for the Saints between 2000 and 2005, starting 77 contests. Over that span, he had 44.5 sacks, 89 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. He had two seasons of double-digit sacks, including a team-high 11 in 2004. Ninkovich is best-known for a standout career with the New England Patriots. He actually began his career with New Orleans as a fifth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Ninkovich played just three games with the Saints in 2006 before being released the following preseason. Dec 23, 2012; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Junior Galette (93). Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images Savage wore 93 for one game during the 2007 season before switching to 95 for three contests the following year. McCray took 93 in 2008, playing two years with the Saints and contributing 7.5 sacks, 23 QB hits, and 15 tackles for loss. Advertisement An undrafted rookie in 2010, Galette had a forgettable end to his Saints career after five seasons with the team after a spectacular start. Galette had 31.5 sacks as a Saint, including a combined 22 takedowns in 2013 and 2014, while adding 62 QB hits and 34 stops for negative yardage. Big defensive tackle Kevin Williams took 93 for one year in 2015. He helped an otherwise bad run defense, but had just one tackle for loss and no sacks. Next to Wayne Martin and arguably Darren Howard, the best 93 in team history would arrive in the draft that following offseason. Nov 13, 2022; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (93) brings down Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Saints doubled down on defensive tackles in the 2016 NFL Draft, selecting Sheldon Rankins in the first round. They followed that up with a little-known Canadian prospect out of Manitoba by way of Nigeria in the fourth round named David Onyemata. Advertisement Rankins had a nice career for the Saints, but the ultra-athletic Onyemata would be even more productive. In seven years with New Orleans, Onyemata had 23 sacks, 63 QB hits, and 28 tackles for loss while missing only eight of a possible 114 games. Once Onyemata departed in free agency, the Saints brought Shepherd in at defensive tackle. He's held that spot for two years, making 30 starts and missing just one game. In that span, Shepherd has 5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 14 QB hits. He'll look for even better numbers in Brandon Staley's New Orleans defense this season. Related: Derek Carr Further Explains Retirement Decision From New Orleans Saints Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 94 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 96 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98 Related: Trevor Penning May Have A New Home On Saints Offensive Line Related: Saints Quarterback Ranking According To Pro Football Focus This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 91
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 91 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There are 91 days between now and the 2025 season opener between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. Advertisement New Orleans is hoping to improve on their 5-12 record from last year. They'll look to do it with a new head coach in Kellen Moore and several new faces in key places. Wearing number 91 for the Saints this season will be rookie defensive lineman Vernon Broughton, a third round choice. Here's a look at the other players who have worn that number for New Orleans during a regular season game. Saints History of 91 Feb 3, 2010; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith speaks during a press conference for Super Bowl XLIV. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images • Monte Bennett, DT (1981) • Ken Marchiol, LB (1987) • Robert Goff, DT (1990-95) • Brady Smith, DE (1996-99) • Grady Jackson, DT (2002-03) • Will Smith, DE (2004-12) • Kasim Edebali, LB (2014-16) • Trey Hendrickson, DE (2017-20) Advertisement • Ethan Westbrooks, DE (2021) • Josiah Bronson, DT (2021) • Kentavius Street, DT (2022) • Kyle Phillips, DE (2023) • Kendal Vickers, DT (2024) Oct. 17, 1999; Tennessee Titans quarterback Neil O'Donnell (14) under pressure from New Orleans Saints defender Brady Smith. © George Walker IV / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Bennett was the first to wear 91 for New Orleans in 1981, appearing in 16 games and making six starts during his only year with the team. The number wasn't worn again until 1987, when Marchiol used it for three games as a replacement player during the player strike. Goff was the next to don 91 when joining the Saints as a free agent from Tampa Bay in 1990. He was the first to wear the number for multiple years, recording 5.5 sacks and returning 2 of his 4 fumble recoveries for touchdowns in six years as a Saint. Advertisement Brady Smith came on as a third-round choice in 1996. In four years with New Orleans, he had 13 sacks and was second on the team with 11 stops for loss in 1999. Grady Jackson came to New Orleans with great expectations as a free agent in 2002. He fell far short of those expectations and would be released midway through his second year with the team. In 22 games with the Saints, Jackson had 9 sacks and just 14 stops for loss. Sept 14, 2008; Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell (17) is sacked by New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Will Smith came to New Orleans as the 18th overall choice in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. There is little argument that he's the best player to ever wear 91 for the Saints. He also wore the number for the longest, playing 139 games and all of his nine NFL seasons in New Orleans. Advertisement Smith had 67.5 sacks and 90 tackles for loss as a Saint. He also had 2 interceptions and forced 20 fumbles, including an NFL-best 6 forced fumbles in 2004. Smith was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Saints Ring of Honor in 2019. Tragically, his life was lost during a traffic related shooting in 2016. Dec 21, 2015; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kasim Edebali (91). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images Edebali followed Smith in the number 91 as an undrafted rookie in 2014. He played three years in New Orleans, managing 8 sacks, 10 QB hits, and 7 stops for loss as a rotational pass rusher. Hendrickson came to the Saints as a third-round pick in an incredible 2017 draft haul by the team. In his four years with the team, Hendrickson had 20 sacks, 43 QB hits, and 18 tackles for loss. Advertisement Hendrickson's breakout season was 2020, his last year in New Orleans. He had 13.5 sacks, 25 QB hits, and 12 stops for loss that year to lead the Saints in all three categories. Sep 9, 2019; New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images Westbrooks, Bronson, Phillips, and Vickers played a combined 13 games for the Saints. Collectively, they had 17 tackles which included one for loss. Street played in all 17 contests for New Orleans in 2021, managing 3.5 sacks and stops for loss with 9 quarterback pressures. Broughton now comes to the Saints in hopes of improving a defense that ranked 30th overall and an embarrassing 31st against the run a year ago. Listed at 6'5" and 311-Lbs., Broughton has the potential versatility to play in the middle or on the end of 3-man fronts for new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Advertisement Related: Derek Carr Further Explains Retirement Decision From New Orleans Saints Related: Former Saints Defensive Star Arrested, Per Report Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 92 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 94 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 96 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 95
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 95 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In 95 days, the New Orleans Saints officially begin their 59th NFL season with a regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Wearing the number 95 for the Saints currently is defensive tackle John Ridgeway III. He's entering his second year with New Orleans and fourth in the NFL. Advertisement Ridgeway, 26, faces a steep challenge to make the roster at a crowded defensive tackle position. If he doesn't, the team may have an eighth different player wearing number 95 in the last eight seasons. Here's a look at all the players who have worn number 95 throughout Saints history. Saints History of 95 Jan 7, 2018; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is tackled by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Tyeler Davison (95). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images • Robert Brannon, DE (1987) • Jon Dumbauld, DE (1986, 1988) ▪︎ Travis Davis, DT (1990) • Ronnie Dixon, DT (1993) • Ernest Jones, DT (1995) • Austin Robbins, DT (1996-99) • Marques Douglas, DE (2000) • Howard Green, DT (2003-04) • Eric Moore, DE (2006) • Trevor Johnson, DE (2006) • Josh Savage, DE (2008) • Rodney Leisle, DT (2009) Advertisement • Martez Wilson, LB (2011-13) • Brandon Deaderick, DT (2014) • Tyeler Davison, DT (2015-18) • Taylor Stallworth, DT (2019) • Margus Hunt, DE (2020) • Ryan Glasgow, DT (2020) • Albert Huggins, DT (2021) • Jack Heflin, DT (2023) • John Ridgeway III, DT (2024-present) November 5, 2012; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) gets sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Martez Wilson (95). Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images There were 20 players to wear No. 95 for New Orleans prior to Ridgeway. Only Robbins, Green, Wilson, and Davison were with the team for longer than a year. Brannon, Dumbauld, Davis, Dixon, Jones, Douglas, Moore, Johnson, Savage, Hunt, Glasgow, and Heflin managed only 33 games with the Saints collectively. Robbins was the first to accomplish this seemingly simple task, tying with Davison for the longest No. 95 tenure with the club. Between 1996 and 1999, Robbins played in 57 games with 11 starts. He had 4 sacks and was one of the team's better defenders against the run. Advertisement Green appeared in 18 games for the Saints over two years, starting 12 contests in 2004. In that season, he had no sacks but a career-best 28 total tackles. Leisle actually played four seasons in New Orleans. He was a fifth-round choice in the 2004 NFL Draft and remained with the Saints until 2006, then returned to the team for one game wearing No. 95 during the 2009 season. New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Austin Robbins (95) against the San Francisco 49ers. Credit: Saints Wire - USA TODAY Wilson flashed the potential of a good pass rusher as a third-round choice in the 2011 NFL Draft. He actually had as many sacks (1) and more QB hits (4) as the Saints first-round pick that year, Cameron Jordan. In three years with New Orleans, Wilson played in 33 games and 5 sacks with 11 QB hits and 4 tackles for loss. Davison holds the distinction of playing the most games and having the most starts with the Saints (61 games, 48 starts) as number 95. He had 3.5 sacks with 11 QB hits and 9 tackles for loss between 2015 and 2018 and was one of the team's better defenders against the run. Advertisement Deaderick was the year before Davison in 2014 and had a solid season as a run stopper, also adding 2 sacks in ten games with the team. Stallworth came on in Davison's final year with the Saints but wore No. 76 as an undrafted rookie in 2018. He switched to 95 the following year after Davison's departure, playing for contests in 2019. Huggins looked like a solid addition in 2021. He played nine games for the Saints that season, switching between numbers 60 and 95. He spent all of 2022 on New Orleans injured reserve before leaving as a free agent after that season. Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws under pressure from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle John Ridgeway III (95). Mandatory Credit: Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin/Imagn Images Ridgeway was acquired in a preseason trade with Washington last preseason. He appeared in 13 games for the Saints, but only 28% of the defensive snaps. His stat line consisted of 15 total tackles, including his first career stop for negative yardage. Advertisement Ridgeway will face stiff competition for a roster spot this summer. The Saints return Bryan Bresee, Nathan Shepherd, Khalen Saunders, and Khristian Boyd at defensive tackle. Additionally, New Orleans also traded for DT Davon Godchaux and added Texas DT Vernon Broughton in the third round of this spring's draft. Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 96 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 97 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98 Related: Saints Quarterback Ranking According To Pro Football Focus Related: Pro Football Focus Snubs Saints In Under-25 Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.