It just so happens Georgia guard Tate Ratledge got a giant Lion tattoo on his right forearm about a year ago.
"That kind of came full circle and I didn't process it until right now," Ratledge said in a Zoom call Friday night after the Detroit Lions selected Ratledge in the second round of the NFL Draft. "A little bit of foreshadowing, I guess.
"I think Lions are the king of the jungle for a reason. Just their mentality and attitude the way they go about their whole life. I think that's just something I attach my lifestyle to just that mentality of 'never satisfied' and 'never quit' I think that's something that ties into my life and the way I play the game."
It definitely feels like a bit of foreshadowing.
After reinforcing the interior of their defensive line with the selection of Ohio State's Tyleik Williams in the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday night, the Lions opted to boost the interior of their offensive line in the second round Friday night with the selection of Ratledge.
The Lions traded up three spots with Denver from No. 60 to No. 57 to get Ratledge. The Broncos traded pick 57 and 230 to the Lions in exchange for 60 and 130.
Ratledge is a self-described 'dirtbag' as a player and that certainly fits what the Lions are all about upfront along their offensive line. He's got a mean streak that Lions fans will certainly love about him.
"I think you have to have a little bit of that (dirtbag) in you to play this game and this position," Ratledge said. "I think everyone that plays this position at a high level has a little bit of that in them more than others. I think (Detroit) has a lot of those guys by watching them play."
Ratledge was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs with 37 starts at right guard. He plays the position with a physical presence but also has good movement skills for a player his size (6-7, 308).
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart told The Athletic Ratledge was as 'special as they come,' because of his leadership ability. He was a team Captain for the Bulldogs.
View photos of offensive lineman Tate Ratledge.
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) is shown in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) is shown in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) celebrates a Georgia score against Georgia Tech during the sixth overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) is shown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) is shown during an NCAA college football game against Samford Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) and offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) react after during the second of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) is shown during an NCAA college football game against Samford Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) is shown during an NCAA college football game against Samford Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
He'll now compete with Graham Glasgow, Christian Mahogany, Kayode Awosika, Netane Muti, Michael Niese and Giovanni Manu for a starting spot and playing role along the interior of Detroit's offensive line. Ratledge was an All-American and All-SEC performer the last two seasons for the Bulldogs.
"I couldn't ask for a better team and a better situation to go to," Ratledge said of joining the Lions. "I'm so excited. I still haven't really fully processed it yet. I've always been a fan of coach Campbell and the way he runs his program just seeing what he does, what he has to say, how he runs his team and how his offensive line plays. Just everything about the way he runs his team feels like it's a great fit."
