Texas A&M junior safety is having a career year in coverage

No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) is set to take on No. 16 Texas (8-3, 5-2 SEC) on Friday night, as the Aggies are seeking revenge after losing to the Longhorns 17-7 in Kyle Field last season, which ultimately ended A&M's season, while Texas went on to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff.

The tables have turned this season, and Texas A&M is just one win away from making the SEC Championship Game for the first time in program history. At the same time, the Longhorns are desperate for a shot at the College Football Playoff, only if Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss suffer losses during Rivalry Week.

One of the reasons Texas A&M remains undefeated this season has been the vast improvement from the Aggie secondary, especially at safety, as junior Marcus Ratcliffe is having a career year that is finally receiving the attention he deserves. Standing at 6'2" and just over 200 pounds, head coach Mike Elko's development background at the position has helped Ratcliffe take the next step this season.

Through 11 games, Ratcliffe has recorded 55 tackles and three pass deflections, while his updated grades from Pro Football Focus tell the real story. According to the site, Ratcliffe has allowed just 17 yards through the air in 336 coverage snaps, averaging an elite 86.0 coverage grade. The junior has also been impressive against the run, earning an 82 run defense grade and an 84.1 defense mark.

Ratcliffe's snap allotment proves his versatility, lining up at free safety (230) in the box (275) and at slot cornerback (57), which has dramatically improved the Aggie secondary, which is ranked in the top 30 nationally. Assumed to return next season, Ratcliffe, combined with fellow junior safety Dalton Brooks and likely redshirt safety Bryce Anderson, will be quite the force in 2026.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M S Marcus Ratcliffe is having a career year in coverage