Lathan Ransom ain’t your average college athlete. This Ohio State safety doesn’t just bring the pain on the field—he straight up delivers. Arguably, one of the hardest hitting safety out there in CFB. Now, as a senior Buckeye, Lathan’s prophesied for greatness with stats that scream elite: 68 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and a pick this season. But who made this beast of safety? And what shaped him into a mad competitor? Spoiler alert: It starts at home.

His parents, Linda and Nathan Ransom, are not your run-of-the-mill sports parents. This story’s got Hall of Fame records, military discipline, and a bond as perfect as that of Justin Field’s 56-yarder bomber against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl.

Who is Lathan Ransom’s Hall of Famer mom?

Let’s talk about Linda Blanco Ransom, a straight-up legend in her own right. Back in the ’90s, Linda was the pride of Sahuarita High School, dropping jaws on the basketball court and diamond. She still holds records in basketball—1,383 career points, 441 points in a single season—and she’s a top-three slugger in softball stats even decades later. Hall of Fame? Check. Inducted in 2004, the same night as her dad, Javier Blanco, a multi-sport star from the ‘70s.

But Linda’s not just about sports. She’s about grit. Growing up a military brat with a master sergeant father, she learned discipline early. And she’s passed that no-nonsense attitude down to Lathan and his younger sister, Jalynn. “Make the right choices, no shortcuts,” Linda tells them. Oh, and she’s got a Master’s in Addiction Counseling—because being a badass runs in her veins.

Who is Lathan Ransom’s veteran dad?

Nathan Ransom—the man is a walking definition of resilience & aura. He didn’t have the built-in support that Linda had growing up. Raised around the hustle and chaos of L.A., Nathan carved his own path and dream. He balled out as a running back at Mount San Antonio College before deciding to serve his country. From 1997 to 2001, he was stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, where he met Linda. Sparks flew, and the rest is history.

These days, Nathan’s the captain of the Davis-Monthan Fire Department, where his leadership mirrors how he raised his kids—with discipline, honesty, and love. And Nathan doesn’t sugarcoat. “If Lathan has a bad game, I let him know.” No fluff, just facts. It’s tough love, but it’s why Lathan thrives under pressure.

Where did Lathan Ransom grow up?

The Ransoms set up shop in Tucson, Arizona, where they raised their kids with the perfect mix of hustle and heart. For Lathan, life wasn’t just school and sports—it was a grind. Linda and Nathan doubled as coaches, making sure their kids got the best foundation. “I didn’t want him to have the wrong coach,” Nathan said, recalling his days running drills with Lathan in youth leagues.

And don’t get it twisted—Lathan didn’t get a free pass. He had chores, mowed the lawn, and hit the books. Even when college recruiters came knocking, the Ransoms kept him grounded. “Humility first,” Linda would say. This family knows life’s about more than just picks and trophies.

Nathan and Linda’s parenting? Straight-up gold. Their secret? Brutal honesty and military-type consistency. Whether it was Nathan coaching his fire department rookies or Linda working at a juvenile detention center, they brought those life lessons home. “Be respectful, stay humble, and give 100%—that’s what we live by,” Nathan says.

Now, as Lathan preps for the Cotton Bowl against Texas, the Ransoms will be right there in the stands, cheering him on like always. Because in the Ransom household, family ain’t just a support system—it’s the playbook for success.