Georgia football fans will be proud to know how well Tate Ratledge is doing with the Detroit Lions originally appeared on A to Z Sports.
Georgia Bulldogs standout and 2025 second-round pick Tate Ratledge may be on track to earn a starting role on the Detroit Lions’ offensive line as a rookie.
Reports out of OTAs last week revealed that Ratledge was taking first-team reps at center, a notable development considering his background. Ratledge initially arrived at Georgia as a tackle, eventually moving to guard, and while he has limited game experience at center, he’s no stranger to adapting.
However, replacing retired four-time Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow won’t be easy, and mastering one of the most demanding positions on the line will likely take the full training camp to accomplish. But early signs suggest that Detroit is serious about giving Ratledge a shot.
“He definitely needs some time (at center) training,” Detroit offensive line coach Hank Farley said. “It’s going to become natural for him. I thought what he did in rookie minicamp was pretty good for handling that.
“Our centers, like across the whole league, they do a lot, they have a lot on their plates. They’re like quarterbacks on that O-line. They set a lot of the protections, a lot of the calls and they work one-on-one with the QB. So in time he’s going to get it down and become a pretty good center here.”
Ratledge, a former four-star recruit from Tennessee, began his college football journey at Georgia in a backup role before becoming the Bulldogs' starting right guard in 2022. Over his final two seasons, he played 1,300 offensive snaps and surrendered only two sacks, earning consecutive First-Team All-SEC selections and All-American recognition.
Tate Ratledge Scouting Report
Offensive guard, Georgia
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
23 years old (04/26/2001)
A to Z Sports Expected Draft Position: 63
Pre-Draft Round Projection: 2
"Offensive line is relatively strong at the top of the class, but there are some interesting players available on day two. One of those is Georgia guard Tate Ratledge. He suffered an ankle injury that required tightrope surgery, but he came back and played well throughout. He was a five-star recruit in 2020 who became a three-year starter on a really good offensive line at Georgia. Ratledge is a versatile player with elite athleticism and a mullet to match. Overall, Ratledge is a player who could start day one but should be a definitely good starter by the end of his rookie contract," Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst.
Career Projection: Eventual Good Starter
