Marcus Ratcliffe, a safety for Texas A&M, has been selected for the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, a preseason honor that highlights defensive players who make a difference both on and off the field.
The watch list includes just 13 players from the SEC, and Ratcliffe stands among three safeties recognized for their potential to shape the upcoming season.
In 2025 he recorded 65 tackles, of which 32 were solo, added three pass breakups and posted a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 80.3, placing him sixth among SEC safeties.
His highest single‑game effort came against Notre Dame and Mississippi State, where he logged eight tackles, and he reached the five‑tackle mark in eight contests throughout the year.
Beyond the numbers, Ratcliffe was named team captain ahead of the 2026 campaign, a testament to his leadership in the locker room and his influence on younger teammates.
A Dual Threat: Play and Service
Off the gridiron, he serves as an ambassador for Mission 3:12, a charitable initiative that supports World War II veterans, and he has pledged $312 for every turnover his defense forces to help fund trips to Normandy for the D‑Day anniversary.
The Lott Trophy, awarded annually to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, celebrates not only statistical dominance but also community contribution, making Ratcliffe’s dual focus a natural fit for the award.
Texas A&M will open the 2026 season on September 5 against Missouri State before traveling to face Arizona State and later hosting Kentucky, a schedule that could provide further opportunities for Ratcliffe to add to his tally.