Tuskegee’s Ratliff Picks Up Ninth All-American Nod
The ninth NCAA Division II All-American team was announced this week by Don Hansen, and Tuskegee senior linebacker Jewell Ratliff appeared for the ninth time on a list this postseason.
Ratliff earned his ninth All-American honor by being named to the team as a linebacker. Ratliff, a New Orleans native led the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in total tackles with 148 while being named the SIAC Player (overall) and Defensive Player of the Year this season. The senior finished with 70 solo tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss (51 yards lost) and 3.5 sacks (13 yards lost). He also finished the year with three pass break-ups, one quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles.
Ratliff finished second on the team in interceptions with five, returning a pair of those for touchdowns. He also scored a touchdown on a blocked field goal against Albany State, and had two other touchdowns called back.
The senior was also named an AFCA All-American, D2CCA All-American, BOXTOROW All-American, AP Little All-American, USA College Football All-American, SBN All-American, D2football.com and was a Cliff Harris Award Finalist.
