Tapping two Georgia writer’s to get key information on the Lions new guard acquisition, Tate Ratledge.
The Detroit Lions traded up three spots to grab Georgia guard Tate Ratledge in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft , a move that could pay dividends on the offensive line immediately and in the future.
Offensive linemen often don’t get as much media coverage as other position groups during the pre-draft process, so I spoke with Georgia writers Marc Weiszer and Radi Nabulsi to learn more about Detroit’s new rookie offensive lineman:
The Detroit Lions have one of the top offensive lines in the NFL. How do you anticipate Ratledge will adjust and develop while working alongside established veterans like Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, and Taylor Decker?
Weiszer: Ratledge should pick up things well aside from the normal transition to the NFL. Playing against Georgia’s defense in practice already has him facing pro caliber players. Just check out the Eagles defense. An experienced offensive line can only help.
Nabulsi: Few people remember the fact that Tate Ratledge was named a starter as a true freshman. In the very first game of the year, a road contest against Clemson. No offensive lineman comes to Georgia and is named a starter in his first game. He was injured three plays in, but that rare achievement told us everything we needed to know.
What specific attributes did Ratledge contribute to Georgia’s offensive line that set him apart within the unit?
Weiszer: Grittiness. He came back from a foot injury that knocked him out the entire 2021 season and then returned following TightRope ankle surgery last season. He was one of the better pass blockers in the SEC.
Nabulsi: He’s tough. All players like to think they are tough, and you can’t be successful if you are soft. But Ratledge is a play-with-one-hand-on-a-broken-foot type of tough. Every lineman wants to be called tough. Ratledge earned that moniker.
From your perspective, what areas of Ratledge’s game will require development in order for him to thrive at the professional level?
Weiszer: To increase his value and lengthen his pro career, he may need to be able to play not only right guard where he lined up at Georgia, but be able to step in at left guard or center. Georgia’s run blocking overall wasn’t what it wanted last year so he could up his game there, too.
Nabulsi: He will need to get faster and stronger. The SEC is a proving ground and Ratledge faced first-round draft picks every day in practice. But college is not the NFL.
The Lions organization places a high premium on character and resilience. In what ways do you see Ratledge embodying the “gritty” culture the team is known for?
Weiszer: See answer to No. 2 above. Ratledge has personality with his mullet, tattoos, and hosting a podcast with Aussie punter Brett Thorson, but he didn’t have any off-field incidents that came to light and took what he did on the field seriously.
Nabulsi: Ratledge missed his freshman year after that injury vs. Clemson. He fought back to be one of Georgia’s leaders. He won two national titles but saw adversity in his own career. He’s as gritty as they come. Ratledge doesn’t get in trouble. Everyone likes him. He’s a born leader since he hates to lose more than he likes to win.
Are there any standout moments, stories, or behind-the-scenes insights from Ratledge’s time at Georgia that you think Lions fans would appreciate or find meaningful?
Weiszer: He’s one of the more colorful personalities that Georgia has had on the offensive line. He’s the son of a football coach who grew up in northwest Georgia. His family was Tennessee fans, but his father peeled off a Vols sticker after he committed to Georgia. Ratledge and now former Georgia QB Carson Beck had a do-si-do celebration dance ready to go after a touchdown last season.
Nabulsi: In an eight-overtime battle with archrival Georgia Tech , Ratledge’s quarterback, Carson Beck, was frustrated with all the dropped passes by his receivers. Everything that could go wrong was going wrong. Beck, known as a cool customer, was visibly shaken. Ratledge grabbed his quarterback, talked him out of the funk, and proceeded to will his team to a win.
Marc Weiszer is an award-winning beat reporter for the Athens Banner-Herald . You can follow him and his coverage of the Bulldogs @marcweiszer .
Radi Nabulsi covers Georgia football for WXIA and publishes for uga.rivals.com . Follow along with his coverage of UGA sports @RadiNabulsi .