An Ohio State football star is on the brink of returning to a venue that once hosted a dark day

Ohio — Nathan Ransom admitted to looking ahead at Ohio State football’s potential path this year.

It was late November when he noted a win vs. Michigan paired with a Big Ten title would secure a trip to the Rose Bowl for the Buckeyes.

He wanted matters to manifest that way, not only because of the goals Ohio State was looking to reach, but also because of what a return to Pasadena, California, would mean to his son – safety Lathan Ransom.

“I’m definitely looking for him to kind of go full circle and not go out the way he did,” Nathan told cleveland.com. “He deserves — his work ethic deserves — to be up there remembered as one of the best safeties and be up there fighting for a national championship.”

The pieces didn’t fall as planned.

Ohio State closed the regular season with a loss in The Game, therefore eliminating the Buckeyes from a return to the Big Ten title game.

However, the College Football Playoff committee gave the Ransom family an alternate path to their rose-colored goals.

If No. 8 seed Ohio State defeats No. 9 seed Tennessee in Columbus on Saturday (8 p.m., ABC/ESPN), the Buckeyes will advance to face No. 1 seed Oregon.

That quarterfinal matchup would take place at the Rose Bowl, giving Lathan a chance at rewriting his story inside college football’s most iconic venue.

“That’s going to be an emotional game, obviously, when I go back there,” Lathan said.

Inside Lathan Ransom’s brutal Rose Bowl injury

Nathan watched Britain Covey run from one end zone to the other as a second-quarter kickoff return gave Utah a two-score lead against Ohio State in the 2022 Rose Bowl.

As the 97-yard return came to an end, he noticed his son wasn’t in the crowd of Buckeyes chasing Covey.

“I look back and see him on the ground with his hands on his head,” Nathan said.

The exuberance from the crowd quickly shifted to silence as a cart drove Lathan across the field and down a stadium tunnel where he later met with his family.

“It was tough,” Nathan said. “Going in the back and he was crying — it was a lot going on.”

Lathan’s left leg whipped into a teammate, breaking his tibia and fibula. Despite the thrilling score, ESPN elected not to show many replays of an impact that forced Lathan into an air cast.

He’d dealt with injuries in high school, but this came on the biggest stage.

“That was probably the worst it’s ever been,” Nathan said.

The injury marked the start of a challenging journey back — one that highlights the inspiring nature of Lathan’s career.

How Lathan Ransom returned to stardom

Earlier this month, Lathan was named one of 12 semifinalist for college football’s comeback player of the year award. The honor spotlights the All-Big Ten level he’s played at this year despite missing the final five games of the 2023 campaign with an injury.

But the story of Lathan overcoming adversity en route to success extends beyond the jump from last season to now.

“This journey throughout my career obviously didn’t go as I had planned it going in, but I wouldn’t change a thing for it,” Lathan said. “I appreciate it. I’ve learned so much from it. I’ve grown up as a man. I’ve grown in my faith. I’ve made relationships at Ohio State that I wouldn’t change for the world.”

After his Rose Bowl injury, Lathan was taken to a nearby hospital. However, due to COVID restrictions – and Lathan contracting the virus – he was forced to endure early steps on his own.

Nathan’s parents live in California, so his family could stay nearby, but it still added an obstacle to an already-difficult stretch for Lathan.

“It was like the world is over,” Nathan said.

Once the initial emotions passed, though, Lathan spoke on the phone with his family about what was next.

“It’s time to step up and get it together,” Lathan told them.

Lathan Ransom’s final chapter is his best yet

Lathan eventually returned to Columbus where he was still far from his hometown of Tucson, Arizona.

However, those at Ohio State provided a family away from home — particularly athletic trainer Adam Stewart.

“He has been a great voice and been like an uncle figure to him,” Nathan said.

The grueling rehab process led to a Week 1 return for a 2022 season that ended with All-Big Ten honors – proof that simply coming back wasn’t enough for the safety.

“He’s not a half-(expletive) type kid,” Nathan said. “…He’s a kid that’s been putting 110% into the sport since he was 8-9 years old, honestly.”

A Lisfranc tear ended his 2023 season prematurely and seemingly closed the final chapter of his collegiate career. Instead, Lathan elected to return for a fifth season.

He’s collected 57 tackles and an interception while also forcing three fumbles thanks to his “lethal” ability to punch the ball out, as defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said.

The success resulted in third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press on Monday, but there’s one goal left to reach this postseason: A playoff run that features a return to the site of his darkest day.

“You get into coaching to be part of that kind of career,” Knowles said. “Lathan has had adversity injury-wise and on the field. He is finishing strong. He really is. Our players have the utmost respect for him. I expect that he’s going to have a great final to his career.”