Caleb Ransaw, SAF, Tulane
Size:
Height: 5113
Weight: 197
Arm: 30 ¾”
Hand: 9 ¾”
Accomplishments:
Three-star recruit
“Caleb Ransaw is a physical box defender who will take on blocks and deliver punishment to ball-carriers.”
Strengths:
Versatility
Physicality
Run defense
Tackling
Concerns:
Man coverage
Quick lateral movements
Level of competition
Film Analysis:
Cousin of Dre Kirkpatrick, Caleb Ransaw recorded 32 tackles, two interceptions, 25 pass breakups, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, and returned a kickoff for a touchdown for Sparkman High School as a senior. He helped lead the Senators to the Alabama 7A playoffs and earned a three-star recruit ranking. Ransaw played three seasons at Troy before following Jon Sumrall to Tulane, where he took on the “spear” role in Joe Craddock’s defense. More of a hybrid nickel corner and linebacker, Ransaw compiled 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and three passes defensed in his senior year.
Splitting his time between in-the-box and nickel alignments, Ransaw plays a physical brand of football that allows him to fill adequately against the run. As a force defender, he’s willing to take on blocks and pullers to give linebackers and corners holes to fill while maintaining outside leverage and forcing the ball-carrier back inside. He can shed blocks fairly well against tight ends and wide receivers and reacts quickly to run plays. He’s a sure-tackling defender with a quick trigger downhill to engage outside runs and receiver screens who isn’t afraid to rush between the tackles and stand up offensive lineman if he has to.
In coverage, Tulane had Ransaw rotate from the nickel position to a two-high safety look occasionally, and he’s a good reactive zone player. He keeps his head on a swivel, looking from receivers to the quarterback, and adjusts his depth when needed. He keeps with his responsibility well and has a good, smooth backpedal to stay square against receivers. Ransaw projects better in man coverage against tight ends who don’t have quick lateral agility where he can be more physical through the route stem. He has better ball skills than his production suggests, as he attacks the catch point well with good length. He didn’t allow much receiving production when targeted, showcasing good route recognition, burst to close space, and reacting quickly to quarterback queues.
Ransaw projects to be a big nickel/safety in the NFL without true top-end sideline-to-sideline speed to play single-high. However, his aggressiveness, physicality, and box versatility appeal to today’s defensive ideology. His willingness in the run game gives him a boost.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Daniel Harms
Exposures: Army (2024), Navy (2024), Kansas State (2024), Memphis (2024)
