Alumni Spotlight | Tate Ratledge (’20)

When Tate Ratledge (’20) walked onto the Darlington campus as a seventh-grader, he was still growing into his frame, still figuring out who he was. But what he did know, even then, was that he had big goals and a strong support system.

His parents had made the decision to enroll him at Darlington for its academic rigor, but as fate would have it, Darlington would be where his story as an elite athlete — and as a young man — would begin to take shape.

“My parents wanted what was best for me academically and decided Darlington was the best fit,” Tate said. That decision would set the foundation for not just his football career, but for the life he would build both on and off the field.

Today, Ratledge is a household name for college football fans. After a standout career at the University of Georgia, where he won back-to-back National Championships with the Bulldogs, he heard his name called in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.

But before the roaring football stadiums and primetime games, it all started at Darlington.

Building the Foundation

For Ratledge, the structure and support at Darlington were as critical as the training. “Darlington more than prepared me academically for college,” he said. “It helped me learn time management and how to balance school and athletics.”

It wasn’t just about hitting the books or blocking defenders. It was about learning how to be accountable, how to show up for teammates and teachers alike, and how to represent himself — and his school — with pride. “I think Darlington taught me how to be accountable and make the most out of my time,” he said. “You’re held accountable in so many aspects at Darlington, whether it be in the classroom or on a field, that it helped translate over to UGA.”

Among the many coaches who left an impression on him, Ratledge points first to Coach Tommy Atha. “Coach Atha had the biggest impact on me and my development,” he said. “He pushed me on the field, but also made sure I was getting done what needed to be done in the classroom. Coach Kevin Hunt also had a huge impact on me. He helped me grow as a person as well as an athlete.”

Those lessons — about work ethic, time management and carrying oneself with integrity — would go on to shape how he handled the next level of competition.

From Jerry Sharp Field to the SEC

After a stellar high school career, Ratledge had plenty of college offers. The recruiting process was intense, but ultimately, Georgia felt like the right fit. It’s not hard to see why. The Bulldogs are a national powerhouse, and Ratledge was eager to compete at the highest level.

But even for a top high school lineman, the jump to the SEC was a wake-up call. “I think the speed of the game was the biggest difference,” he said. “I’m still playing the same game, but just at a much faster pace.”

Ratledge rose to the challenge.

After redshirting part of his early career and battling a foot injury that sidelined him during Georgia’s 2021 National Championship run, he came back strong. In 2022 and 2023, he became a mainstay on the offensive line, starting in nearly every game. He played a key role in helping Georgia secure the SEC title and another National Championship in 2022.

“The first National Championship was great, of course, especially since we hadn’t won in so long,” he said. “But the second one meant more to me personally since I played that year. After overcoming my injury after the first one, it felt so special to win another.”

Off the field, he remained just as focused. In December 2024, he earned his B.S. in Education with a concentration in Sport Management.

Draft Day & Detroit Dreams

This past spring, Ratledge’s lifelong dream came true.

“It was just surreal,” he said. “Actually hearing my name on the TV and realizing that my hard work has paid off meant a lot.”

When they called his name, Ratledge was surrounded by family and friends, including his former Darlington Tigers coach. “Coach Atha was actually with me in Athens, Ga., when I was drafted, which meant so much to me,” he said. “Hearing from my former coaches has been so cool because they are a huge part of my journey and I would not be here without them. It means a lot to me.”

Atha was also there to see Ratledge start in his first game with Detroit, a preseason matchup on Aug. 8 versus the Atlanta Falcons that ended in a 17-10 victory for the Lions.

As he continues his rookie season, Ratledge is staying focused — mentally, physically and emotionally. In late August, he was one of 10 offensive linemen to make the Lions’ initial roster.

“I am working out every day as well as doing a lot of recovery to make sure my body is as healthy as it can be,” he said. “I watch a lot of film as well to help myself be as prepared as I can be. Emotionally, I’m just taking it all in and trying to enjoy the process.”

He’s also learning from his new coaches and teammates. “The Lions have been good the last few years, so getting to learn from the coaches as well as teammates is exciting to me,” he said.

A Darlington Love Story

But Ratledge’s Darlington story isn’t just one of athletic achievement — it’s also a love story.

He met Annabelle Braden (’19) in middle school. They were part of the same friend group, but things didn’t become romantic until a few years later. “She was a junior and I was a sophomore when we started dating,” he recalled.

Their relationship weathered the demands of high school athletics, long SEC football seasons, injuries, wins and everything in between. Through it all, Braden has been a steady presence. “She’s seen me at my lowest and seen me at my highest, and has been by my side through all of it,” said Ratledge.

Braden carved out a path of her own at the University of Georgia, graduating with a B.S. in Education with a concentration in Sport Management in spring 2024. “She spent all four years working in the football team’s recruiting department, a role she absolutely loved,” said Ratledge. “It’s cool because we got to watch each other grow so much throughout high school and college.”

Earlier this year, the couple took their next step together. “I decided when I was training in Dallas this offseason to start planning a proposal,” he said. With the help of Annabelle’s friends and a trusted jeweler, he picked out the perfect ring and set the plan in motion.

Their shared Darlington roots remain a part of their bond. “We learned how to be individuals while at Darlington, while also maintaining our relationship as a couple,” said Ratledge. “We learned so many life lessons from different teachers and coaches that we both bring to the relationship.”

Excited for their future together, Ratledge and Braden are staying very busy, planning a wedding and settling into their new life in Michigan.

Advice for the Next Generation

Looking back on the road from Darlington to the NFL, Ratledge remains grounded. When asked what advice he would give to student-athletes dreaming of playing in college or the pros, his answer is simple: “Work hard. Seems typical to say but, if anything, work hard for yourself.”

And if his story says anything, it’s that hard work — and heart — really can take you places.

Ratledge still carries with him the values instilled at Darlington: integrity, discipline and pride in what you represent. “I learned to wear whatever is on my chest with pride,” he said. “Whether it be the Darlington Crest or Georgia G, I know I am representing that school as well as myself and have to do my best.”

That crest, that “G,” and now the Detroit Lion — they’ve all been part of his journey. But at the center of it all is the work he put in, the community that supported him, and a high school sweetheart-turned-fiancée who’s been by his side every step of the way.