By Jim Naveau

jnaveau@limanews.com

LOS ANGELES – Lathan Ransom has said it before. The Ohio State senior safety doesn’t know exactly what emotions he will feel when he returns to the Rose Bowl for the first time since breaking his leg the last time he was there in 2022.

Ransom was attempting to make a tackle on a 97-yard kickoff return by Utah’s Britain Covey during Ohio State’s 48-45 win when the tibia and fibula in his left leg were broken early in the second quarter.

Adding to the drama of his return, game day on Wednesday will be the first time he has been inside the Rose Bowl stadium since that day in 2022.

“There will probably be a lot of emotions running through my head but I’m excited to get back there,” Ransom said Monday at the Rose Bowl’s media day. “I’m taking it all in because last time I was here, it didn’t go the way I wanted it to go. But I wouldn’t change it for a thing. I’m excited to be here and get another crack at it.

“Definitely it’s a lot of déjà vu and a lot of similarities from the first time. I really don’t know the emotions I’m going to feel when I get back to that field but I’m excited to be here. I feel like God put me through that for a reason and I learned a lot about myself and from that moment,” he said. “I’m so thankful to be here again, and thankful for another opportunity to play. It was definitely a crazy moment last time.”

Ransom returned faster than expected from the Rose Bowl injury and played the 2022 season. But he missed the final five games of last season because of a non-contact foot injury he suffered in the Wisconsin game.

Ransom returned for his senior season, though without the injuries he would have considered entering the NFL draft. He said the injuries increased his appreciation for football.

“I think that’s what the injuries have done for me. I appreciate football. I’m one of the people that appreciate it more than anyone. Anytime I get to step on the field, whether it’s practice or whether it’s meetings or whether it’s the game. I’m just so happy to be here. I thank God for being here and I appreciate every moment because I know what it’s like to have it taken away,” he said.

He and Caleb Downs gave Ohio State one of the best pair of safeties in the Big Ten and beyond this season. Downs was the Big Ten’s Defensive Back of the Year and a first-team All-American and Ransom was first-team All-Big Ten.

A few weeks after his injury in the Rose Bowl he told a reporter from his home town of Tucson, Ariz., that he had never been more excited for a football game before the injury because some of his family members were getting to see him play in college for the first time.

The fact several family members will be at the Rose Bowl this year adds to his feelings for the game. He expects to have 12 or 13 family members cheering for him and the Buckeyes.