Welcome Home: Ratliff Joins Gators Staff
Friday, March 1, 2019 | Football
Keiwan Ratliff joins Dan Mullen’s staff as an Assistant Director for Player Personnel.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dan Mullen announced the addition of former UF defensive back Keiwan Ratliff as the Gators' Assistant Director of Player Personnel. Ratliff, who played at Florida from 2000-03 and finished his degree last fall, spent seven seasons (2004-10) in the NFL with four teams and settled in Orlando.
Approximately 30 credit hours short of his degree in sociology, Ratliff re-enrolled at UF in 2015 and finished his degree in August 2018, nearly 15 years since he played in his final game at UF.
"This is what he looks forward to – mentoring kids and helping young people," Coach Dan Mullen said. "He's been in all these guys' shoes, from a star in high school, college and a career in the NFL. It means a lot for this program that he's back here with us and helping our players understand the Gators Standard."
Ratliff signed with the Gators out of Whitehall-Yearling High School near Columbus, Ohio. In his four seasons at Florida, Ratliff was one of the most exciting players to watch in school history. He scored six touchdowns (three interception returns, two fumble returns and a reception).
He was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2002 and 2003, and a consensus first-team All-American in 2003. As a senior team captain, he was recognized as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by Sporting News, and was picked by his teammates as the Gators' Most Valuable Player.
Ratliff was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.
Following his time in Gainesville, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Ratliff in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played in 51 games from 2004-07 and started in eight. He recorded his most productive season in 2005, when he intercepted three passes and recovered a fumble.
On December 18, 2008 during his lone season with the Colts, Ratliff scored his first-career touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars; he intercepted David Garrard and ran the ball 35 yards for the game-winning touchdown. That game would wind up clinching the playoffs for Indianapolis that year.
His final two seasons in the NFL were spent with the Steelers (2009) and Bengals (2010).
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