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Ratliff's versatility proved to be a valuable commodity for the Tigers' coaching staff since he arrived on campus as a freshman. The blue-collar work ethic he displayed was greatly appreciated by the team. Ratliff originally began his Auburn career as a tight end, moving to defensive end as a sophomore and then to defensive tackle in his final campaign.
Ratliff played in a run-oriented offense at Lowndes County High School. As a tight end, he caught 46 passes for 701 yards and scored seven touchdowns as a senior, leading the team to the state championship, despite missing three games with a knee injury. He earned Class 4A all-state, All-USA Today honorable mention, Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Super Southern 100" and "Georgia 75" and Georgia High School Football "Magnificent Seven" honors. He was rated one of the top 25 players in the state of Georgia according to SuperPrep and received PrepStar All-America honors (that service rated him the No. 3 tight end in the Southeast). He also lettered in track and basketball, averaging 18 points and 18 rebounds as a junior.
Ratliff spent the 2000 season improving his academics at Hargrave Military Academy. He arrived on Auburn's campus in 2001, playing 12 games as a tight end, where he caught two passes for 20 yards. Ratliff shifted to defensive end in 2002. He started eight games, despite being bothered by a shoulder injury. Ratliff would finish his sophomore season with 37 tackles (16 solos), a sack, 10 stops for losses and two forced fumbles.
Ratliff played in nine games, earning one start at defensive end in 2003. He was bothered all season by a high ankle sprain that limited his playing time, as he finished with 7 tackles (4 solos) and a stop behind the line of scrimmage. He returned fully recovered in 2004, but shifted inside to defensive tackle, where the unit was depleted by graduation. He started every game, producing 37 tackles (17 solos) with a sack, four stops for losses, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
For his career, Ratliff started 22 of 34 games. He recorded 81 tackles (37 solos) with two sacks for minus-15 yards, 15 stops for losses of 46 yards and 12 quarterback pressures. He caused three fumbles, recovered another and also deflected a pass.
ANALYSIS
Positives: Has a tall, rangy frame with long arms and legs, high hips, tapered calves and thighs and good upper body muscle development ... Has the straight-line speed needed to chase down the quarterback when working in-line ... Tough, aggressive athlete who might lack pass-rush ability, but has enough burst to collapse the pocket ... When he gets low in his stance, he can stop the forward progress of the ball carrier when meeting head on ... Uses his hands well to hold-on and drag down the opponent ... When he stays at a good pad level, he can maintain balance when in pursuit and does a nice job of getting through the trash to spot the ball ... Effective knifing into the backfield to flush out the quarterback ... Has developed decent rip-and-swim moves to aid him in the bull rush.
Negatives: Has major size limitations if he is to stay at tackle, but does not have the explosive burst to be effective moving outside to come off the edge ... Lacks flexibility in his lower body, which prevents him from flattening and changing direction easily ... He needs to do a better job of staying low in his pads, as he tends to get high in his stance, resulting in offensive linemen having success vs. him with reach blocks ... When his base gets too narrow, he gets bounced around some, especially vs. double team coverage ... Labors at times coming out of his stance and needs to develop a sudden initial burst in order to gain leverage due to his size limitations ... Has good power, but not enough to compensate for a lack of bulk when working inside ... Good effort type, but one look at his stats and you see marginal production ... Adequate student, but plays with marginal instincts and awareness ... Late to recognize and react, spending a lot of time getting behind the play ... Runs well for his size, but shows limited change-of-direction agility and explosion ... Soft at the point of attack, failing to use his hands
INJURY REPORT
1999 -- Missed three games during his high school senior year with a knee sprain.
2002 -- Sat out the Western Carolina game (Sept. 7) with a knee sprain ... Left the Alabama contest (Nov. 23) in the first quarter due to left shoulder stingers.
2003 -- Suffered a left high ankle sprain vs. Georgia Tech (Sept. 6), missing the second half of that game and the entire Vanderbilt, Western Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas contests.
AGILITY
Campus: 4.91 in the 40-yard dash ... Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times ... 371-pound power clean ... 4.52 20-yard shuttle ... 7.19 three-cone drill ... 33.5-inch vertical jump ... 9-foot-9 broad jump ... 34-inch vertical jump ... 9.75-inch hands ... Right-handed.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Lowndes County (Valdosta, Ga.) High School, playing football for coach Milt Miller ... Played in a run-oriented offense ... As a tight end, he caught 46 passes for 701 yards and scored seven touchdowns as a senior, leading the team to the state title despite missing three games with a knee injury ... Earned Class 4A all-state, All-USA Today honorable mention, Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Super Southern 100" and "Georgia 75" and Georgia High School Football "Magnificent Seven" honors ... Rated one of the top 25 players in the state of Georgia according to SuperPrep and received PrepStar All-America honors (that service rated him the No. 3 tight end in the Southeast) ... Also lettered in track and basketball, averaging 18 points and 18 rebounds as a junior. PERSONAL
Public Administration major ... Son of Ottie and Diane Ratliff ... Born Jeremiah J. Ratliff on Aug. 29, 1981 ... Resides in Valdosta, Ga. |
