He led his teams to two conference championships, (JV and freshman year) and as a senior, he was named the Chico High School Offensive Player of the Year, and was an All-Conference selection and played in the Lions Club District 4C-1 Senior All-Star Football Game in 2003.

After attending high school, Ratliff went on to Butte College (2003–04) in Oroville, California, where he was the starting quarterback for two seasons, following Aaron Rodgers.

While at Butte College, he set the school's career record for touchdowns (35), completions (239), and total offensive yards (3,651).

In 2006, Ratliff led the Utes to an 8–5 season record, including a 25–13 victory over Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl.

[4] After spending training camp with the Tennessee Titans and being out of football for a few months in 2011, Ratliff was signed by the Buccaneers on December 6, 2011.