Big Cat Country
Get to know the Jaguars’ new additions from draft weekend with our ‘3 things to know’ series
With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, it’s time to reflect on how the Jacksonville Jaguars fared. Did rookie GM James Gladstone deliver a masterclass, or has he just set the Jags back five years? Truth is, we probably won’t know that for some time. But we can get to know the newest members of the team a little bit better. In the first of a mini-series of deep dives, here are three things to know about Caleb Ransaw, DB, Tulane:
Denoting a draft prospect as a ‘defensive back’ rather than a cornerback or safety can often leave fans wondering just where the newest member of their team fits in on their defense. And if you study Caleb Ransaw’s college tape, you still won’t be any the wiser as to how he will be utilised by the Jags. After two years starting at Troy, Ransaw followed his head coach Jon Sumrall to Tulane, where he elevated his game and attracted the attention of pro scouts. Prior to hitting the transfer portal, Ransaw was your classic perimeter corner; in the 2022 season - his first as a starter - Ransaw racked up 275 snaps outside the numbers. But the last two seasons has seen him diversify his portfolio, truly becoming a movable chess piece in the secondary…
At 6’0” and approximately 200lbs, it was no surprise to see Ransaw utilised in the slot more heavily as his career progressed. But his physical demeanor and competitiveness through contact allowed Sumrall and his coaching staff to utilize Ransaw wherever they needed - and by the time he finished his college career, he had enjoyed 259 snaps at the line of scrimmage, and another 152 snaps as a box defender. This versatility resulted in some strong production, with Ransaw heading to the NFL with 115 tackles, 10 TFL’s, 8 pass breakups, an interception and a sack to his name.
The Jaguars, for now, seem to have identified Ransaw as a safety - and no doubt he’ll head into training camp pushing Eric Murray for the starting strong safety role. But don’t be surprised to see him moving around the defense as and when Anthony Campanile requires.
When James Gladstone sent in the card to select Caleb Ransaw with the 88th overall selection, his only consideration was likely the defensive back’s skillset and what he could offer the Jaguars for the next four years. Unwittingly, however, he used his second-ever pick for the Jags on a prospect from a school that no Jaguars GM before him had recruited from - Ransaw became the first player from Tulane to be drafted by Jacksonville.
Coming off the board in the third round, Ransaw was the highest-selected defensive prospect from Tulane to be drafted since 1987, when the Cincinnati Bengals picked corner Eric Thomas at #49. Overall, the Green Wave have had 158...
