King’s Ransom: Salpointe Star A Big-Time Talent

The lineage of college prospects to emerge from Tucson Salpointe High School over the years is a star-studded group. Feel free to add junior two-way standout Latham Ransom to the list.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior defensive back/wide receiver/punt returner has been reeling in Power Five offers, with his two latest coming from Oklahoma and this Big Ten giant.

Ransom also has standing offers from hometown Arizona, ASU, Washington, Utah, Stanford, Nebraska, Georgia and a host of others hoping to land one of the top players in the state.

“All the schools have made an impact in their own ways,” the seemingly always energetic Ransom said to Sports360AZ.com. “It’s all been super fun and amazing.”

What’s also amazing is counting the different positions you’ll see #8 playing on Friday nights. His unique skill set is a coaches’ dream, especially when you consider Ransom is only going to get bigger, faster and stronger over the next two years with the Lancers.

“His quickness, his first step, his burst, his explosion,” Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene said to Sports360AZ.com when asked where Ransom has improved the most. “I think that’s helped transform him into the type of athlete that’s garnished the type of attention he’s now receiving.”

His aggressive style he’s patterned after the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” in the back half of their defense.  

“The intensity they play with,” Ransom explained with a wide smile. “They’re trying to make you feel them. You don’t want to come across that middle and get hit by one of them. I really [respect] that.”

So is there anything he isn’t willing to do on the field?

“He loves to return punts,” Bene said. “He’s improved his ball skills. Obviously once he catches the ball he’s a great athlete. You could see him in college play on defense, play on all the special teams and a coach wouldn’t be afraid to get the ball in his hands because he’s such a good athlete.”