by Colin Lavery, Athlon Sports
Indiana's defense ranked near the top of all college FB in 2024. Two DT's starters gone from that team were CJ West & James Carpenter. Byrant Haines, DC will have Marcus Burris & Tyrique Tucker back but neither produced at the level as West & Carpenter, so Indiana hit the portal for a pair of DTs in Hosea Wheeler & Dominique Ratcliff. Of the two, Ratcliff (6-3, 296) is more highly touted by both 247 Sports & PFF. In fact, one of the first things that jumps out about Ratcliff is that he graded just 5 spots behind West in PFF's overall ranking for defensive lineman in 2024. While West graded higher as pass rusher, Ratcliff actually turned in higher grade as a run stopper, which should make him an automatic starter in Haines defense. Getting a player of Ratcliff's caliber signals a clear intent to continue making it difficult to run the ball against Indiana, Haines, & Cignetti. Though, pass rushing isn't his strength, he still posted more sacks over the last two years than West, so there's reason to believe he'll improve in that department.
Coming from Texas State, Ratcliff will be competing against better talent which could affect his production. On the other hand, Cignetti & his staff made All-Americans of three JMU transfers on defense in their first seasons at the Big Ten level.
Indiana's defense ranked near the top of all college FB in 2024. Two DT's starters gone from that team were CJ West & James Carpenter. Byrant Haines, DC will have Marcus Burris & Tyrique Tucker back but neither produced at the level as West & Carpenter, so Indiana hit the portal for a pair of DTs in Hosea Wheeler & Dominique Ratcliff. Of the two, Ratcliff (6-3, 296) is more highly touted by both 247 Sports & PFF. In fact, one of the first things that jumps out about Ratcliff is that he graded just 5 spots behind West in PFF's overall ranking for defensive lineman in 2024. While West graded higher as pass rusher, Ratcliff actually turned in higher grade as a run stopper, which should make him an automatic starter in Haines defense. Getting a player of Ratcliff's caliber signals a clear intent to continue making it difficult to run the ball against Indiana, Haines, & Cignetti. Though, pass rushing isn't his strength, he still posted more sacks over the last two years than West, so there's reason to believe he'll improve in that department.
Coming from Texas State, Ratcliff will be competing against better talent which could affect his production. On the other hand, Cignetti & his staff made All-Americans of three JMU transfers on defense in their first seasons at the Big Ten level.
