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Even though closing the book on his five-year career at OSU and preparing for the NFL "has been a lot, it's all been a blessing," said the ´óÏóAPPnative and former Salpointe Catholic High School safety.

Ransom took a week off to reset mentally and physically, then moved to Orlando, Florida, to train for the NFL Draft. Nearly four weeks later, Ransom participated in the NFL Scouting Combine. Three weeks later, Ransom took part in Ohio State's Pro Day and and had a 36.5-inch vertical.Ìý

"Now we're here," Ransom said. "It's been exciting and everything I wanted it to be. I can't wait for these next couple of weeks."Ìý

After Ransom left Salpointe Catholic in 2020, he endured highs and lows at Ohio State. Ransom, who had to quarantine for several weeks after testing positive for COVID-19, played his first season at OSU during the pandemic-influenced season. He also had multiple injuries, including a gruesome leg injury that removed him from the Rose Bowl in 2022.

In Ransom's final season in Columbus, he became an All-Big Ten selection and recorded a career-high 75 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception. En route to the national championship, Ransom led the Buckeyes to a win at the Rose Bowl.

The 6-1, 210-pound Ransom is expected to become the latest ´óÏóAPPnative to get selected in the NFL Draft. In the previous two drafts, Ransom's Salpointe teammate, running back Bijan Robinson, was taken eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, before former Marana High School and UA standout left tackle Jordan Morgan was selected 25th overall by the Green Bay Packers last year.Ìý

Ransom views himself as a "Day 2 guy," meaning he's most likely not going in the first round on Thursday, April 24, but landing in the second or third round on Friday, April 25.ÌýÌý

"I'll be extremely excited if that's the case," Ransom said. "Worst place I see myself going is the fourth round. If something really bad happens, the fifth round. But I try not to think about it. I know I'm a Top 100 guy. I displayed that this year, and I feel confident saying that. You know, it's all up to God's plan and if it doesn't go that way, it doesn't go that way.

"I know I'm a Top 100 guy and I feel like a lot of people would argue with that and agree with me. Whatever happens, I'll be completely blessed and have a smile on my face. ... When you think about how many people are trying to enter the draft and make it here, it's insane to think about. When I sit back and reflect on where I started at, from little ´óÏóAPPto here, I'm just happy to hear my name called when the time comes."Ìý

Ransom — who emulates his game after safeties Budda Baker, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jevon Holland — recently joined to reflect on his Ohio State journey and look ahead to his NFL career. Here's part of that interview:

When OSU won the national championship, what emotions were you feeling?Ìý

A: "So thankful. I remember when the whistle blew, the first thing I wanted to do was see my parents. While everyone was lying around in the confetti and celebrating with each other, I just wanted to see my support system, my family, because they've seen firsthand all the adversity I've faced and everything the team has gone through. I was so thankful and thanked God for every playoff game we won, but definitely the last one."

How would you summarize your college football journey, and how did it prepare you for the NFL?Ìý

A: "I would summarize it as someone who never gave up, someone who was extremely tough and someone who learned a lot about themselves on and off the field. I wouldn't change any of it. Through all the adversity and all the ups and downs, it has made me a better person and has given me perspective. For the NFL, it's going to teach me adversity and never give up. It's also going to teach me how to be a football player and how to be a man. Those are couple of things this journey has taught me. I wouldn't change it at all and I'm thankful for it."

How are interviews with coaches and scouts in the last few weeks?

A: "There have definitely been teams I met with that I enjoyed the meetings a lot and enjoyed them more than others. ... There are so many teams that picked my friends that didn't even talk to them throughout the the process. Everyone asks me, 'Who do you think is going to get you? Who likes you the most?' I try not to spend too much energy thinking about that because at the end of the day, you just never know. Whoever takes a chance on me and believes in me, I'm going to pour my heart into that team. I'm excited to get to work."

How much pride do you take in being a Tucsonan in the NFL?

A: "I take a lot of pride in that. I feel like if you watch me play, my physicality sticks out every time I'm on the field, and I think that's just being from ´óÏóAPPand always having a chip on my shoulder from being overlooked and doubted. To see Bijan doing what he's doing is an extreme blessing. That's why I went to Ohio State, to prove me right and prove people wrong. Here we are, going to the next level and I'm going to keep having that chip on my shoulder and have that dog mentality you get from playing in Tucson."

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up?Ìý

A:Ìý"The (San Francisco) 49ers. When I was really young, I was a big Niner fan. That whole era, when they had Frank Gore and LaMichael James, I used to play with them in Madden. I was a huge Niner fan."Ìý

Let's say you get into the starting lineup of an NFL team, which school are you using for your "Sunday Night Football on NBC" player introduction?

A: "For the first couple of years, I'll definitely say Ohio State. Once I get more comfortable, I'll shoutout Tucson."ÌýÌý