Why a Jaguars Second-Year Safety Can Shock the League in 2026
After the Jacksonville Jaguars let their tenured safety Andrew Wingard walk in free agency and sign a contract with the Arizona Cardinals, the team has a spot to fill in their secondary. To accompany veteran safety Eric Murray, it only makes sense that the Jaguars let the second-year safety out of Tulane get an opportunity to start. That player would be Caleb Ransaw, whose 2025 season was sidelined due to a foot injury he suffered in training camp. It is crucial that Jacksonville allows Ransaw to get the most reps possible during the offseason to prepare him for a starting role, as the team does not have many options besides the young athlete.
Selected in the third round with the 88th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Ransaw has shown flashes of greatness throughout his collegiate career. At Troy in 2023, Ransaw earned an honorable mention for All-Sun Belt Conference. In his career at Troy, the safety finished with 81 tackles, one interception, and five pass deflections. He decided to transfer to Tulane in 2024, where he found more success. In 12 games, Ransaw had 34 tackles, one sack, and three pass deflections. He was also named to Third-Team All-AAC following the successful season. After declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, Ransaw appeared in the Senior Bowl, where he intercepted future New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.
Now, Ransaw will be facing NFL offenses, something that is very different than the collegiate level. If he follows the footsteps of his cousin, who is a former longtime NFL cornerback, Dee Kirkpatrick, then he will find success. Head coach Liam Coen has faith in the young player, as he talked highly of Ransaw after he suffered the injury last season and believed he would still find a meaningful experience in an injured season. Ransaw studied the game throughout the season, especially since the Jaguars found themselves in a playoff-bound campaign with 13 wins. In 2026, Ransaw will have the opportunity to be a part of the success under the new culture under Coen, and it is up to him to make that a reality.
