Texas S target Lathan Ransom has finalists ahead of commitment date

Another key target for the Texas Longhorns will announce a commitment in the coming days, as Tucson (Ari.) Salpointe Catholic safety Lathan Ransom has three finalists and will make his decision on July 16, his 17th birthday, Ransom told 247Sports at The Opening Finals in Frisco.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are one of those finalists after hosting Ransom for a visit late last month that produced a significant amount of speculation about the Buckeyes leading his recruitment.

In the immediate aftermath, 12 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions flooded in for Ohio State, including from a Buckeyes expert and 247Sports Director of Football Recruiting Steve Wiltfong, who makes predictions with an accuracy of nearly 90 percent.

“I think when I went there I said something that made it seem like I like them a lot,” Ransom told 247Sports. “Ohio State, I had a great trip there, but I also had four other great official visits. I guess because it was my last one, most people think that was my most powerful or most moving one. Ohio State was a great visit though and it was cool for my whole family to see it. It was a great experience.”

Before tripping to Columbus, Ransom took visits to his other two finalists — to Texas, where he was hosted by rising sophomore safety Caden Sterns, and to Notre Dame.

So the question is whether Ransom’s comments were taken out of proportion or whether the Buckeyes are the actual leader in this recruitment as it enters the final stretch before Ransom’s decision.

Right now, the Longhorns did enough to remain under consideration as Ransom discusses his options with his family and prepares a commitment video. However, there’s no real belief that Texas is the leader, so unless something changes, the Horns are going to come up just short with the key target.

And that could potentially impact the decisions of two other Arizona stars — teammate Bijan Robinson, a running back who is also seriously considering Ohio State and Texas, and the nation’s top cornerback, Kelee Ringo.

The dream of landing all three remains alive for the moment, but Ransom’s decision in a little more than two weeks will determine whether it persists longer than that.

A consensus four-star prospect, Ransom ranks as the No. 76 player nationally, the No. 4 safety, and the No. 5 player in Arizona, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.