Marcus Ratcliffe Season 2023

HONORS
* 2023 SDSU Outstanding Freshman, Defense
* Mountain West Freshman of the Week
- Nov. 27, 2023 for game vs. Fresno State

TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON (2023)
Played all 12 games, starting 11 of them ... Started the first eight games of his collegiate career ... Recorded 51 tackles (31 solo), including 1.5 tackles for loss ... Also had an interception, one pass breakup, and one quarterback hurry ... Had one solo stop in 65 snaps as the starting ‘Aztec’ in the opener vs. Ohio on Aug. 26 ... Became the first true freshman to start at the signature Aztec position in SDSU's 3-3-5 defense, which started in 2009. The other true freshmen to start on defense since 2009: CB Leon McFadden (2009), S Tariq Thompson (2017), CB Noah Avinger (2021) and S CJ Baskerville (2021) ... Appeared to return an interception 100 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter but the play was called back because of a roughing the passer penalty ... Led the team with a career-high six tackles against Idaho State on Sept. 2 in just his second career game ... Played in 81 of the team’s 87 snaps ... Played 64 snaps against UCLA on Sept. 9, the most among al Aztec defenders ... Recorded four tackles (three solo) on the night making him one of three Aztecs with double-digit solo tackles (10) ... Also had a quarterback hurry ... Finished second on the team in tackles at No. 16/17 Oregon State on Sept. 16 ... Matched his career-best with six tackles on the afternoon, four of which were solo ... One of two Aztecs (Cedarious Barfield) to play every defensive snap in the conference opener against Boise State on Sept. 22 ... It marks the first time this season, any Aztec defender has played every snap ... Totaled three tackles (one solo) ... Logged 30 defensive snaps, his lowest amount of the season, at Air Force on Sept. 30 ... Had five tackles (three solo) ... Recorded his first career tackle for loss, for four yards, on Air Force’s first drive of the night ... Played all but three snaps at Hawai’i on Oct. 14 ... Led the team in tackles for the second time this season, finishing with six tackles (all solo), matching his career-high ... Played 44 defensive snaps in a start against Nevada on Oct. 21 ... Recorded three tackles (one solo) ... Came off the bench against Utah State on Nov. 4 ... Made two tackles (one solo) ... His assisted tackle was a tackle for loss ... Returned to the starting lineup at Colorado State on Nov. 11 ... Matched his career high with six tackles (three solo), the fourth time he has done so this season ... Had two assisted tackles in a start at San Jose State on Nov. 18 ... Led the team in tackles in the season finale vs. Fresno State on Nov. 25 ... It his his third time leading the team in tackles ... Matched his career-high with six tackles (two solo) ... Also recorded the first interception of his career, returning it 25 yards ... Was named Mountain West Freshman of the Week, the first weekly honor of his career.

HIGH SCHOOL
Earned three letters at nearby Cathedral Catholic High School in Chula Vista, California … Will join three current Aztecs who attended Cathedral Catholic, including offensive lineman Rambo Mageo, quarterback DJ Ralph and running back Lucky Sutton … The Dons were 12-2 in 2021 and captured the state championship … Was at three-time first-team all-league selection at defense and once at offense … Also was all-CIF … Was a 2-Way Player of the Year nominee … Also competes on the basketball team and on the track & field squad … Is a scholar-athlete … A consensus three-star recruit by 247sports (safety), Rivals (defensive back) and ESPN (outside linebacker) … Received a 247sports composite rating of 86.56 by 247sports … Received a scout grade of 87 from 247sports and 75 from ESPN … Selected the Aztecs over offers from Brigham Young, Arizona, California, Colorado, Air Force and Utah State.

SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Tackles: 6, five times
Tackles for Loss: 1.0 at Air Force (9/30/23)
Interceptions: 1 vs. Fresno State (11/25/23)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Utah State (11/4/23)