ROCKINGHAM — Four years of playing football draped in green and gold wasn’t enough for Jake Ransom. And now the senior offensive lineman will swap Richmond’s Kelly green and gold for the deeper shades of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
On Thursday just after the Raiders’ annual football banquet, Ransom took to social media to announce he was trading in the Raider diamond for the 49ers’ pickaxe as a preferred walk-on.
He became the second Raider football player in the graduating class of 2019 to verbally commit to play Division I football, joining teammate and Wofford College commit Malik Stanback.
“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to continue my academic and football career at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte,” Ransom, recruited as a center and guard, wrote. “I would like to thank all of my coaches for helping me get to this point.
“Also, I would like to thank my parents (Rob and Christy Ransom) and my sister (Kenzie) for pushing me to always be the best person I can be,” he continued. “And lastly, thank you to Raider Nation for your endless support. Go Niners!”
His verbal commitment to play for newly hired head coach Will Healy starting in the fall came after an impressive night in front of teammates, friends and family. Ransom was named one of four season captains for the Raiders, joining fellow senior Jonathan Jones, junior Jaheim Covington and sophomore Caleb Hood.
Other accolades Ransom was recognized for were his fifth-highest cumulative GPA in the senior class, as well as making his third-straight All-Sandhills Athletic Conference team.
Following a rigorous recruitment process, Ransom found himself facing a predicament not many high school student-athletes face. Before he decided on UNCC, he had received offers from UNC-Pembroke and Catawba College, as well as preferred walk-on spots at Appalachian State University and Coastal Carolina University.
A preferred walk-on, Ransom explained, means getting an invite to camp without any scholarship money.
“It’s been frustrating,” Ransom said of the recruiting process. “But I’m happy to have it behind me and I’m really happy with my decision.
“It’s definitely nice having other coaches and schools believe in my talents to play at the next level,” he added about receiving five offers. “I think it shows how good we were this season at Richmond. People took notice of our commitment and how hard we worked in the offseason.”
Jake Ransom (75) lifts up Jaheim Covington following a touchdown against rival Scotland.
Ransom noted that he first began contact with the 49ers and former head coach Brad Lambert during the spring of his junior year on Twitter. From there, the relationship between Ransom and the program grew, allowing him to visit campus “a couple of times” to check things out.
It was Lambert and his staff who originally offered Ransom a spot on the team, and it was honored by Healy following his hiring in December.
His latest trip was Monday, as he visited campus and met with Alex Atkins, UNCC’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
After meeting with him and discussing everything from family to what life as a 49er football player would look like, Ransom knew Jerry Richardson Stadium is where he wanted to spend his next four years.
“I decided on Monday, and called Coach Atkins to tell him after the banquet,” Ransom smiled. “I really liked how the coaching staff is brand new and they’re all young guys. The program has some really good talent coming in this season.
“The school and campus are nice and close to the city,” he added. “I like being in a bigger area. I’m excited to get out of here, and I’ll miss my family, but I’m ready to start something new.”
The 49ers run a pro-style offense, one that’s similar to what Ransom used while at Richmond. As the team’s center this season, Ransom was responsible for helping the Raider offense average 38.5 points per game, while also protecting sophomore quarterback Caleb Hood.
While linemen don’t rack up individual stats like skill position players, Ransom was instrumental in guiding an offense that averaged 189.5 rushing yards per game and 157.7 passing yards per game, all while going 11-2 and winning the SAC championship.
A season ago, UNCC posted a 5-7 overall record and finished fourth out of seven teams in the East division. In the coming season, Ransom could have a chance to play at App State (Saturday, Sept. 7) and reigning National Champion Clemson University (Saturday, Sept. 21), as both teams highlight the non-conference schedule.
While he’s excited about penning a new chapter, Ransom wasn’t quick to forget his time at Richmond the past four years. A three-year starter, he developed into a household name on the Raiders’ offensive line, and earned a long-awaited SAC championship this past fall.
“Playing at Richmond let me play on the big stage every Friday night,” he shared. “It put me closer to the college level. I think the big crowds and my great coaches and teammates are what got me ready for dealing with the pressure.
“I can’t pick just one thing I’m excited about,” he added of the road ahead. “Honestly, I’m ready to get out there and I’m thankful to have the chance to still play the game I love.”
With still some time before he reports to spring camp at the end of June, Ransom will sign his National Letter of Intent in an official ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 6. He plans to major in exercise science with hopes of becoming a weight training teacher and football coach.
“I just want to say ‘thank you’ to Raider Nation for the last four years,” he concluded “It’s been an amazing career, and it’s hard to think about how I’m going to be gone. It’ll be emotional because I remember being a little kid wanting to be out there on the field, but now I’m gone. I just appreciate every about Raider Nation.”
