Ryan Day discusses Lathan Ransom's injury and who could start vs Nebraska

On Wednesday, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day addressed the media and provided an update on senior safety Lathan Ransom's injury ahead of the Buckeyes' matchup against Nebraska.

Day described Ransom as "day-to-day," a term that, while reassuring regarding the long-term prognosis, typically suggests limited availability for the next game. "There's nothing long-term there anyway," Day said, "but we'll see how tomorrow goes," hinting that Ransom’s status will remain uncertain until closer to game time.

Ransom, who missed part of last season due to injury, is a key piece of Ohio State’s defense. Day’s cautious language has many expecting the starting safety to be sidelined this Saturday. Looking back on Day's history of handling injuries, it is most likely that when he labels a player as "day-to-day," that typically means they will miss a game or two. Most speculate that Ransom will not suit up for the game against Nebraska.

In Ransom's absence, Day acknowledged that several young players could step up. Freshman Jaylen McClain is one of the names being considered. Despite playing just 47 snaps in six games, McClain has impressed coaches with his work in practice.

Another player to watch is sophomore Malik Hartford, who was ranked the No. 1 player in Ohio in the 2023 recruiting class. Although Hartford has also only played 47 snaps this season, he’s been preparing for a larger role. Hartford will most likely be remembered as someone who also saw the field more in Lathan Ransom's absence last year, as he played 50 snaps vs Michigan State.

A more experienced option could be moving slot cornerback Jordan Hancock to safety. Hancock is in his second year starting at slot corner and has been a crucial part of Ohio State's secondary. Since the slot corner position has responsibilities similar to those of the safety spot, Jordan Hancock could be a natural fit to slide over. Hancock’s versatility and physicality make him a logical candidate to step into Ransom’s role, particularly in run support and box coverage.

If Hancock moves to safety, Lorenzo Styles Jr. could take over at slot corner. Styles, a near five-star recruit, transferred from Notre Dame and switched from wide receiver to cornerback due to Ohio State's depth at receiver. "You're starting to see Lorenzo Styles get more and more reps, and he's been doing a great job," Day said. Styles hasn’t played safety but is listed as the same size as Jordan Hancock, with physical traits that would help him in the slot.

Another option is Jermaine Mathews Jr., who repped at slot corner during practice and earned freshman All-American honors last season. Though Mathews may not be the direct replacement for Ransom, his ability to play corner could allow for other shifts in the lineup. It's been clear that Jermaine's been ready since last year, and he is hungry to play so if they need him, he will be ready to contribute.

Ultimately, Day hinted that Saturday's game may involve some experimentation with the lineup. "All these guys are going to find themselves on the field," Day explained, indicating that Ohio State might rotate players to fill the gap left by Ransom. It’s possible that we’ll see multiple combinations as the team adapts to in-game scenarios and if Ransom misses multiple games, what we see vs Nebraska might not be what we see vs Penn State or Indiana.

Fans should also keep an eye on other players like Malik Hartford and Jaylen McClain. It’s unlikely that a true freshman like McClain will carry the load alone, but Ohio State has depth and versatility in the secondary. Day's comments suggest that the coaching staff is confident in their options and willing to adjust as needed. "All these guys are going to be important in the second half of the season, and it will be important on Saturday as well," Day concluded.

As Ohio State prepares to face Nebraska, the uncertainty surrounding Ransom’s availability looms large. Fans will need to pay close attention to the Buckeyes’ official injury report, which must be submitted at least two hours before kickoff at noon on Saturday. The report will designate Ransom as questionable or out or healthy if his name is not listed at all.