Georgia Bulldogs 23 for '23: No. 16 Tate Ratledge
We’re less than a month away from the start of fall camp for Georgia, and what better time to take a look at the most important players for the Bulldogs in 2023?
Important can have different definitions. Some players’ importance for this season is based on their past performance and ability to repeat that this fall. For others, it’s about their potential and what living up to it would mean for Georgia and its chances at winning a third straight National Championship.
We continue the countdown from 23 to 1 today now inside the top-20 with No. 16 on our list, offensive lineman Tate Ratledge.
Tate Ratledge
Position: Offensive Lineman
Class: Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 315 pounds
Hometown (High School): Rome, Ga. (Darlington School)
Time for a second offensive lineman on the list. After Earnest Greene made an appearance last week, it’s the turn of Tate Ratledge.
After redshirting in his first season and earning a starting spot in year two but seeing the campaign come to an early end due to an injury in the season opener, Ratledge got his opportunity last season to be a full-time starter. He missed one game but started at right guard for every one in which he played. In doing so, he was part of an offensive line unit that finished second to Michigan for a second consecutive season in the race for the Joe Moore Award while becoming the first group to allow fewer than 10 sacks in a 15 game season.
Back in 2023, Ratledge should be comfortable. He’s not fighting for his starting spot like he was in 2021. He’s not coming off of an injury like he was in 2022. Everything seems just fine for him, and he should know what it’s like to play alongside those around him because they were in the lineup last year too.
So, for Ratledge, this year is all about continuing to improve – something that if he does, bodes well for his stock in next spring’s NFL Draft. Furthermore, with the way Stacy Searels rotates his offensive linemen, Ratledge can help groom the next guy for Georgia with the Bulldogs likely to lose four starters from this year’s unit to the next level.
It’s hard to teach the way Ratledge plays. He has a mean side to him that’s a good thing on the offensive line. Whatever it is, Georgia wants exactly that to come out again in 2023 as the Bulldogs chase a third straight title.
Know the Quote
“I think it gives us a leg up,” Georgia offensive lineman Xavier Truss said of the experience the group, including himself and Ratledge, has. “I think there’s a lot of maturity and a lot of experience on our o-line — especially now having Tate, Sed, myself and all the guys back. Even Mims, you know, is a big help, and this will be a great year for Mims growing. I think if we all just work hard, it’ll work out.”
Click here to find the complete rundown of our 23 for ’23 series
