“Echoes of Greatness: Jim Tressel’s Lasting Impact on James Laurinaitis, Ross Bjork’s Vision for the Victory Bell, and Lathan Ransom’s Standout Showing at Panthers Camp”
Jim Tressel’s influence continues to echo through the halls of Ohio State, reaching a new generation of Buckeyes through the legacy of players he once coached. Among them, James Laurinaitis stands as a shining example of Tressel’s enduring impact. Now a linebackers coach at Ohio State, Laurinaitis has found himself on the other side of the headset, mentoring young defenders with a philosophy that clearly reflects the teachings of his former coach. Meanwhile, athletic director Ross Bjork has introduced a new tradition meant to bridge the program’s storied past with its rapidly evolving present—reimagining the Victory Bell as more than just a game-day feature but a symbolic heartbeat of passion and spirit that resonates with Buckeye Nation. And while the heritage and leadership off the field continue to evolve, former Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom is making waves on the field at Panthers training camp, showing that the Buckeye brand of football not only endures—it thrives.
Laurinaitis has been nothing short of instrumental in developing Ohio State’s current linebacker corps. After a brief stint in the broadcast booth, the former All-American and Butkus Award winner returned to his alma mater with the intent to give back to the program that shaped him. But even more than schemes or technique, it’s the cultural blueprint laid out by Tressel that Laurinaitis brings with him into every film session, practice huddle, and team meeting. Tressel wasn’t merely about wins and losses—he was about building men of integrity, accountability, and purpose. Laurinaitis has said many times that it wasn’t just the playbook that made Tressel legendary—it was his deep care for each player’s personal growth and their role in the greater good.
That influence shows in how Laurinaitis mentors guys like Payton Pierce, a rising linebacker who has recently earned Iron Buckeye honors. Laurinaitis talks about Pierce as a player whose commitment and toughness are more important than his 40 time or bench press numbers. That’s classic Tressel DNA—putting heart, discipline, and preparation above flash and hype. Laurinaitis has brought that old-school accountability into the modern era, blending Tressel’s principles with Ryan Day’s aggressive, high-tempo vision. The result is a linebacker room full of selfless leaders, prepared to play not just for themselves but for their brothers and the Ohio State tradition they’ve inherited.
That sense of tradition is exactly what Ross Bjork aims to emphasize with the Buckeyes’ newly launched “Tradition Evolved” initiative. As part of the sweeping effort to elevate the game day experience at Ohio Stadium, Bjork unveiled plans to make the Victory Bell a permanent pregame ritual. Each week, a former Buckeye legend will be chosen to ring the bell before kickoff—a nod to the past and a challenge to the present. Week 1 will feature none other than Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman winner in college football history. Bjork, who recently took over as athletic director after a successful tenure at Texas A\&M, said he wants the bell to be more than a pregame novelty. He sees it as a rallying cry, a moment that binds generations of fans and players together.
Bjork described the bell as a symbol of passion and spirit, but also as a living connection between the program’s golden past and its future aspirations. For him, every clang of the bell should remind Buckeye players why they play and who they play for. It’s also a way to celebrate those who came before, whether it’s Archie Griffin, Chris Spielman, Orlando Pace, or any of the other Buckeye greats who have made Saturdays in Columbus such a spectacle of pageantry and pride.
Bjork’s vision is about continuity as much as it is about innovation. As the landscape of college athletics shifts with NIL deals, conference realignment, and player mobility, Ohio State is doubling down on the values that have always made it special—teamwork, tradition, and toughness. The Victory Bell is a small but powerful way to remind players and fans alike that the roots of this program run deep and wide. In many ways, it complements the teachings of someone like Tressel and the mentorship of Laurinaitis. It’s not just about what happens on the scoreboard. It’s about belonging to something greater.
And speaking of belonging to something greater, Lathan Ransom is making sure the NFL knows what it means to be built by Ohio State. After a college career marked by growth, resilience, and playmaking, Ransom entered Panthers training camp with something to prove—and he’s turning heads. Scouts and coaches alike have commented on Ransom’s intelligence and awareness, praising his ability to read plays before they develop. That’s the kind of football IQ that doesn’t come from raw talent alone; it’s forged in the crucible of high-stakes Big Ten battles, of facing Michigan, Penn State, and top-tier playoff contenders.
Ransom has battled through injuries during his time in Columbus, but his persistence and work ethic have never wavered. In Carolina, he’s showing that same relentless approach. Whether it’s intercepting passes in 7-on-7 drills or laying down solid hits during padded practices, he’s proving he belongs in the pros. More than that, he’s reinforcing what so many NFL teams have come to expect from Ohio State defenders: toughness, discipline, and a readiness to compete from Day 1.
What’s perhaps most compelling about Ransom’s rise is how much it reflects the interconnected stories of Laurinaitis and Tressel. Like Laurinaitis, Ransom is a player whose identity isn’t rooted just in stats, but in the standard he sets for himself and his teammates. And that standard? It’s the same one Tressel preached to his Buckeyes more than a decade ago. In Ransom’s calm composure and fierce competitiveness, you see the echoes of those values—passed down from coach to player, from player to peer.
In a way, Ohio State’s current story is a tapestry being woven with the threads of its rich past. Laurinaitis, the former star linebacker turned coach, is instilling the old values into a new generation. Bjork, the energetic athletic director, is shaping the future by honoring the past. And Ransom, the once-quiet safety, is now a rising professional who carries with him the lessons and legacy of Ohio State football into the NFL.
These three figures—each in their own space—represent what makes Ohio State more than just a football powerhouse. It’s a fraternity of leaders, mentors, and competitors who understand that wearing the Scarlet and Gray isn’t just a privilege. It’s a calling. From the crisp clanging of the Victory Bell to the whispered wisdom of a legendary coach still shaping lives from afar, to the roar of Panthers fans as Ransom breaks up another deep ball—Ohio State’s influence is everywhere.
As the Buckeyes prepare for another highly anticipated season in 2025, it’s clear the program isn’t just resting on its laurels. Instead, it’s growing stronger by deepening its roots. Laurinaitis’s coaching isn’t just tactical—it’s transformational. Bjork’s initiatives aren’t just cosmetic—they’re cultural. And Ransom’s NFL progress isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a testament to the developmental engine that is Ohio State football.
The culture Tressel built was never meant to live in the past. It was meant to grow, to be inherited, to be evolved. That’s what Laurinaitis is doing in the film room, what Bjork is doing in the press room, and what Ransom is doing on the practice field. They are all bearers of the Buckeye flame—bright, unyielding, and passed down with purpose.
As the sun sets on summer and the drumbeats of another football season draw near, Ohio State finds itself at a unique juncture—where history and modernity, grit and innovation, legacy and ambition all converge. Whether it’s the echoes of Jim Tressel still guiding today’s players, the ringing of the Victory Bell sparking game day fervor, or Lathan Ransom blazing a trail in the NFL, one thing is clear: the spirit of the Buckeyes remains as powerful and enduring as ever.
