Ratica is a talented 2027 tight end who I was excited to see in person. He’s every bit of his listed 6’6 240 pounds. Ratica pretty much exclusively lined up from the inline position. He’s an extremely good blocker who has great feet and hands and uses his length to get leverage on the defenders and has the strength to drive them back. Though he didn’t get any targets on the evening he did get out into some routes and show the athleticism and speed to get out and be a threat in the passing game. Xavier has a P4 offer from Maryland and some 3 G5 offers from instate schools Bowling Green and Toledo.

Ratica has everything you want from a tight end. He can separate from defensive backs when in man coverage, while also being able to line up on the offensive line and block. He’s a great athlete at his size and will be featured heavily in the Lakota West offense. Xavier holds several D1 offers; I expect that list to grow soon.

Xavier had an excellent Sophomore season in 2024. His outstanding play helped the Lakota West Firebirds to an 11-win season where they averaged 36.6 points per game and advanced to the 3rd round of the playoffs. He lines up inline and in the slot. He shows very good football intelligence as he reads the coverage and finds the soft spot in the zone. He displays good hands as he makes the catch and after the catch is made, he drags LB before picking up a 1st down. He is a very good run blocker as he displays good use of hands and play strength as he drives the EDGE several yards off the ball allowing the RB to score a TD.

The 6-foot-6, 236-pound tight end should be one of the most highly-sought prospects in the state when his junior season approaches. He’s a good receiving tight end with soft hands and good adjustment hi/low to the ball. His run blocking skills are exceptional, he flashes a mean streak, and can run his feet on contact to get vertical push.

Sticking with the TE position here and the current #1 TE in Ohio’s 2027 class, a title I don’t see Xavier Ratica relinquishing without a fight. The 6’6, 230 lber. saw the 2024 Summer Camp SZN produce his first college offer, as a camp performance at the University of Toledo earned him his first FBS offer from the hosting Rockets. Coming out of the storied Lakota West program in Eastern Ohio, Ratica had a strong showing at the PreRedzoneMichigan Combine Series Showcase stop, earning a First Team All-Camp nod, and followed it up with a standout performance at the Rivals Combine in May, putting up the best shuttle and 3-cone of any 2027 TE in the country. A boatload of P4 and FBS college camp invites poured in, and he capitalized well, earning that FBS offer from Toledo earlier this month.

A multi-sporter who also plays basketball, Ratica was primarily a non-varsity contributor in 2023 as a freshman, but proved himself to be a big-play pass-catching option that can win 50/50 balls and make contested catches, both in the air and through traffic. Ratica was especially dangerous down the seam in 2023, and also showed himself to be a willing and effective blocker who can line up all over the field. He’ll need some varsity tape to really get going on the recruiting trail P4-wise, but judging by the size and now-verified athleticism, it’s only a matter of time.