Tate Ratledge Tabbed SI All-American

Georgia commitment and in-state star Tate Ratledge was named to the inaugural SI All-American football team Monday.

Author:
John Garcia, Jr.
Publish date:
Dec 16, 2019

At every opportunity to impress coaches, onlookers, his teammates or anyone else around the field, Tate Ratledge seems to step up. The massive two-way lineman out of Rome (Ga.) Darlington High School does it as a disruptive defensive tackle on Friday nights but his collegiate future will, of course, be on offense.

A tackle prospect with a tight end background and the movement skill you would expect despite a 6-foot-6, 320-pound frame, he helped Darlington to a 9-win season as a senior with head-turning physical display along the way.

As a recruit, Ratledge made an early pledge to Kirby Smart and Georgia in mid-May over top options Clemson, Alabama, Tennessee and several others. There wasn't much movement with his decision thereafter until longtime UGA offensive lien coach Sam Pittman left his post to take over as head coach at Arkansas. Many inquired, but following an in-home visit from Smart and new assistant Matt Luke, things began to steady back in favor of the SEC East power.

On Saturday, Ratledge announced his intent to stick with Georgia and sign with the program on Wednesday.

Why Ratledge is an All-American:

Offensive line evaluating is among the tougher tasks given at any level, but guys like Tate Ratledge make it a bit easier on us. On the surface, he has it all, great length, mass, athleticism and an attitude that screams ‘SEC trenchman.’ When you dig deeper you only get more balance in his game, between his smooth movement in pass protection and physicality in the run game. Equipped with one of the best punches in the country, he isn’t afraid to make plays on the move as well.

Even lining up at tight end at some points in his high school career, Ratledge has some position versatility in that he can play perhaps any offensive line position other than center at this point. When you have a strong base, can anchor quickly and redirect in tight quarters, offensive line coaches will love you. It’s why Ratledge was one of the most coveted linemen in America before committing to the in-state Bulldogs and remained as such when he briefly took another look at his recruitment in December.

2019 SI All-American Offensive Team:

QB Bryce Young, Alabama (Why Young? Highlights)

RB Demarckus Bowman, Clemson (Why Bowman? Highlights)

RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Georgia Tech (Why Gibbs? Highlights)

WR Julian Fleming, Ohio State (Why Fleming? Highlights)

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State (Why Smith-Njigba? Highlights)

WR Malachi Wideman, FSU (Why Wideman? Highlights)

TE Arik Gilbert, LSU (Why Gilbert? Highlights)

OL Paris Johnson, Ohio State (Why Johnson? Highlights)

OL Tate Ratledge, UGA (Why Ratledge? Highlights)

OL Javion Cohen, Alabama (Why Cohen? Highlights)

OL Issiah Walker, Florida (Why Walker? Highlights)