Interview: Breakout Season Planned for 2021 Texas WR/SR Chase Ratcliff
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If experience coupled with growing skill and athleticism counts for anything, Class of 2021 receiver Chase Ratcliff is set for a big 2020 season. The 5-8, 150-pound, inside target developed his trade on the field with Houston’s Bellaire High School a year ago hauling in 16 passes for 114 yards. If Ratcliff has his way, the Cardinals’ run-heavy offense will open up a little more clearing the path for a record setting campaign. As Ratcliff prepares for the all-too-important season, he has interest coming in from Division-II and NAIA schools like Dakota Wesleyan.
In an RNG initial interview, Ratcliff breaks down his skills on the field and goals for the 2020 season.
Interview
Chase, the Cardinals’ coaching staff were creative in the ways to utilize your speed on the field a year ago. How have you worked to expand your burst, agility, and runaway speed this offseason?
This offseason I have been trying to gain weight to get bigger for the next level. Agility wise, I am running the sled, running hills, and doing extreme workouts, not the regular stuff. I am running down the hill with a vest, running routes up and down the hill, and working on body control.
The coaches had you at inside receiver in a two by two set. What were some of the routes you were running last season?
Last year I was running intermediate routes like comebacks, curls, a lot of hitches, and bubbles. I did screen plays about 85 percent of the time. I was also running outs, ins, and drags. Basically, I was running all the routes. On the inside you run everything.
You also got to run some jet sweeps, how did that part of your game improve in 2019?
The sweeps, it did improve during the season. I did not run sweeps before as a freshman. Once I got to Bellaire, they ran them over and over. Last season I understood how to shift and move defenders on a sweep and not stop and think through the play. To run a sweep right, you have to be an athlete. After doing it so many times, I figured out how to get more green grass.
When the 2019 season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game?
I became more of a key player. I was not the outstanding guy you see on film when they were preparing for us. You might not worry about me, but if you did not plan for me there will be some trouble.
Where all will we see you on the field in 2020?
So far, after speaking to my receiver coach I will be on the inside and outside. They are switching my spots up some, but the majority will be on the inside. We lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team. We have a lot of sophomores coming up, this is their first time on the big stage. They are wanting me to help everyone out and help make all of us come together as a team. I will do whatever helps the team win. If they ask me to play safety, get an interception for six, or whatever, I will do it.
Which areas of your game on offense have you focused on the most this spring and summer?
Perfecting my routes and my footwork. I naturally have fast feet. It has been that way since I was younger, I was having trouble keeping up with my feet when I was younger. This offseason I have been working on every small thing, top of routes and releases. You can never have too many releases.
Are you feeling it coming along?
Yes, sir. I ran routes last week; I can see myself improving, especially from last year. With the experience I have, when I line up everything is coming to me; the route and the defense. Everything is predictable in a game to me now.
When does the team start fall camp?
We are about to start on Sept. 7th, that is our first day of practice. We were supposed to start a month ago, but they kept delaying us. I took that time to keep working on my craft.
Once the 2020 season gets going, what goals have you set for yourself?
This season I want to focus on being 1-and-0 each week with the team; I put team goals first. I want us to dominate each week through the season into district, the playoffs, and state. For my personal goals, I want to break records this year. I want my name in the books with 85 catches, 1,500 yards, 30 something touchdowns, and 2,000 all-purpose yards. I want my name in the book, but going to state is the goal.
Chase, I hope you achieve all of your goals this season. Keep up the hard work and keep us in the loop on your senior season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Ratcliff family; Chase Ratcliff