Great Wall of Georgia Gets Bigger: Tate Ratledge Is A ‘Dawg

If you’ve read Dawg Sports for any length of time you know we like a blue chip football commitment. But we loovvveeee commitments from blue chip offensive linemen. And that’s why today is a great day.

As expected Darlington School big man Tate Ratledge went public this morning with his commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs. The 6’6, 305 pound standout is rank d as an offensive tackle, but could play anywhere along the offensive front. He’s athletic enough to punt for his high school team, has good feet, and the build to hold another 15 to 20 pounds without getting slow.

That athleticism is one reason Ratledge claims offers from not only all the major SEC programs but also the likes of Michigan, Penn State, and Virginia Tech. The #39 overall player in America in 247Sports’ composite rankings grew up a Tennessee fan and has always had a good relationship with current Vols/former UGA line coach Will Friend.

But in the end the Pitt Boss was not to be denied. With offensive tackles Isaiah Wilson and Andrew Thomas legitimate threats to leave early for the NFL Draft after 2019, this is a big year to restock the cupboard up front. Georgia already had a commitment from consensus five star offensive tackle Broderick Jones and four star guard Akinola Ogunbiyi, but will be looking to add more big uglies.

Ratledge’s pledge, the ninth in this class, also moves Georgia up to #5 in 247Sports’ 2020 class rankings. That’s significant because (stop me if you’ve heard this one) every other class in the top 5 has at least fourteen players in it. Georgia will likely sign a 21 to 23 player class in 2020, and with some luck, it may make a run at the record for the highest average player ranking in the modern recruiting era.

The good times in Athens, they continue.

Go ‘Dawgs!