Georgia Bulldogs guard Tate Ratledge was selected by the Detroit Lions with the No. 57 pick of the 2025 NFL draft. Ratledge was one of three Georgia Bulldogs that the Lions drafted and new Detroit offensive coordinator John Morton will have an exciting prospect to work with.
Ratledge started 36 games over three seasons at Georgia. He excels as a pass protector. Detroit’s offense relies on having a dominant offensive line and Ratledge could be the next great Lions’ lineman.
He helped the Bulldogs win a national championship in 2022, and in his senior season, he earned a first team All-SEC and third-team AP All-American honors.
Injuries have been an issue for him in the past. In 2021, he missed all but the opening game of the season due to a lisfranc injury. In 2024, he had an ankle injury that required tightrope surgery, requiring him to miss the games between Kentucky in Week 3 and Florida in Week 10.
Despite that, he is one of the most athletic guards in the draft. He had the highest Combine IQ (athleticism score) out of anybody in the entire draft outside of Jalen Milroe. Detroit is known for developing and producing an incredible offensive line, and Ratledge will be able to learn alongside All-Pros Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell.
Here are some of the best reactions to Tate Ratledge getting selected by the Detroit Lions, including his own emotional reaction.
Tate Ratledge’s reaction to the selection
The moment Tate Ratledge was officially drafted by the Detroit Lions π₯Ή pic.twitter.com/8SjydKuzlr
β ππ₯π’ ππ’π±π―π¬π¦π± ππ¦πͺπ’π° π° (@the_det_times) April 26, 2025
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart’s reaction
“What a player Tate Ratledge is,” Kirby Smart said on social media. “The Lions are so lucky to have him !! You provided a lot of energy and life to this program and I canβt thank you enough for your leadership here. Youβve got a bright future ahead of you. GO DAWGS !!”
Ratledge getting prepared for football on Thanksgiving
Tate Ratledge = Certified Stud! pic.twitter.com/TNTymgRDKU
β LionsFanReport (@lionsfanreport) April 26, 2025
Knee cap biter out of the womb
Tate Ratledge may have been born to play football for Dan Campbell π€£pic.twitter.com/9YDxgvapCR
β WeAreBigGuys (@WeAreBigGuys) April 26, 2025
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Detroit Lions rookie Tate Ratledge emotional after being drafted