Tag: Nico Ragaini

Nico Ragaini getting NFL shot with invite to rookie mini-camp

Nico Ragaini had a knack for big plays at Iowa. He now gets a shot in the NFL with an invite to an NFC team’s rookie mini-camp.

Sometimes all it takes is just simply getting a chance. Nico Ragaini was given a chance with the Iowa Hawkeyes and now he will get another chance to continue playing football.

Nico Ragaini has his chance to play in the NFL and has earned an invite to the Washington Commanders’ rookie mini-camp. Ragaini will get things underway soon as the Commanders are slated to have their rookie mini-camp from May 10-12.

The East Haven, Conn., native out of Avon Old Farms Prep High School made his way to the Hawkeyes and had a large impression during his time there. Ragaini spent six seasons with Iowa.

During his career at Iowa, Ragaini appeared in 63 games. He reeled in 156 receptions for 1,609 yards and four touchdowns as a Hawkeye. Nico Ragaini also has a place in Iowa lore that will last forever.

During the 2021 season, Iowa climbed to No. 2 in the nation and was hosting No. 3 Penn State. With less than half of the fourth quarter remaining, Ragaini found himself streaking across the field wide open to haul in a pass from quarterback Spencer Petras that put Iowa on top for good.

Ragaini may be facing an uphill battle at the Commanders’ mini-camp, but he has a shot to do something in front of an NFL coaching staff and make an impression. If Ragaini can turn some heads, he has the knowledge and experience to be a viable depth receiver or practice squad member.

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Big Ten issues public reprimand to Iowa WR Nico Ragaini

The Big Ten issued Iowa wide receiver Nico Ragaini a public reprimand after his comments regarding the officiating versus Iowa State.

Iowa wide receiver Nico Ragaini used some colorful language earlier this week in regards to the officiating, or lack thereof, in the Hawkeyes‘ 20-13 Cy-Hawk win over Iowa State.

It all stemmed from a Cade McNamara pass in the second quarter versus the Cyclones that was intended for Ragaini. Iowa State defensive back Jeremiah Cooper came away with an interception, but only after he appeared to tug Ragaini to the ground inside Jack Trice Stadium.

To keep things rated PG here, while speaking with a group of Iowa reporters about the play on Tuesday, Ragaini jokingly asked if the Big Ten or NCAA would fine him for what he described as a not-so-great non-call.

There’s no fine en route, but the Big Ten Conference did issue a public reprimand to Ragaini for his postgame remarks.

The Big Ten Conference announced today Iowa football student-athlete Nico Ragaini has been issued a public reprimand for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy following his comments regarding officiating in reference to the September 9, 2023, football game against Iowa State.

Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01 states in part that “The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of the competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials.”

The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded. – Big Ten Conference.

Ragaini responded after the Big Ten’s public reprimand.

“I want to apologize for my public criticism of Saturday’s officiating. I am a competitive person and player. My comments reflected my passion for the game, and I apologize for my choice of language,” Ragaini said.

After Ragaini’s prompt public apology, it’s probably all water near a bridge somewhere for all parties.

Thus far this season, Ragaini has caught four passes for 44 yards. He and the rest of Iowa’s receivers could be in for a big day versus Western Michigan. The Broncos’ pass defense ranks 112th nationally, surrendering 286.5 passing yards per game.

Iowa kicks off versus Western Michigan at 2:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network on Saturday, Sept. 16.

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Iowa Hawkeyes’ WR depth is night-and-day different entering 2023

Dealt a full hand, Iowa’s wide receiver depth is night-and-day different from where the Hawkeyes started off a season ago.

There were a number of reasons why the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ offense sunk to the depths it did last season.

Without rehashing all of them, suffice it to say that issues at wide receiver were a significant part of the problem. Iowa just wasn’t ever fully healthy in 2022.

Injuries to Keagan Johnson and Diante Vines threw the Hawkeyes a curveball to start last season and Iowa never really recovered. Nico Ragaini missed the opener versus South Dakota State, too.

Of course, the Hawkeye coaching staff has its fair share of blame for failing to create enough depth as well. Still, injuries and Charlie Jones’ transfer to Purdue really altered the best-laid plans for Iowa last season.

Then, after Johnson and Arland Bruce IV left the program and entered the transfer portal this offseason, Hawkeye fans’ frustrations with the offensive shortcomings at receiver were more pronounced than ever.

Iowa’s coaching staff responded, though. It went out and landed a pair of impact transfer receivers in Seth Anderson from Charleston Southern and Kaleb Brown from Ohio State. The room was boosted by a healthy return for Vines and the decision by Ragaini to spend one final season in Iowa City.

Asked about the difference of beginning last season with just one scholarship wide receiver available versus this season, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said the wide receivers are right there alongside the Hawkeye offensive line as the team’s most improved units.

“Yeah, it’s like a neck-and-neck race with the offensive line and the receiver position. The problem last year is our lack of experience up front and maturity, physical maturity, and you can’t microwave that. I’ve said that many times.

“Then the receiver position, we were out of guys for injuries and transferring, all that. There’s not much you can do. You play with what you have and that’s how it goes. Sometimes the cards you get dealt are a little bit challenging. But the guys worked hard. I’m not knocking anybody’s effort last year, but that was the reality of it all,” Ferentz said.

Entering his 25th season, Ferentz knows Iowa is much better positioned with pass-catchers heading into 2023.

“I think we’re in a little better situation right now. You have a healthy Nico Ragaini. You have a healthy Diante Vines. Start with those two guys. Two pleasant surprises from the month of August are Seth Anderson, who we thought we liked when he got here, and we’ve liked him as a person. No knock, but we couldn’t evaluate him as a player because he wasn’t out there in the spring.

“So, now he’s had a good August, and boy, he’s a very impressive young guy. Then, Kaleb the same way. He wasn’t here last spring, so not much to say on that one. But I’m excited about him and the fact, too, that he’s only played receiver one year, so the growth potential is really (exciting). And Seth is a young guy. He’s not like a fifth-year or sixth-year guy.

“Both those guys have the potential to really improve and climb if they keep practicing like they have. Alec Wick got back. He’s back practicing, so that’s a positive. I’m leaving somebody else out. Anyway, we’re a lot further down the road than we were a year ago,” Ferentz said.

With four names it feels it can count on in Ragaini, Vines, Anderson and Brown, Iowa can feel confident that it has the horses to improve a passing attack that ranked among the nation’s worst a season ago.

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Gettin’ it done: 5 most impactful ‘glue guys’ for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2023

A “glue guy” isn’t always the standout, but they do the little things right that add up. Iowa’s five most impactful glue guys of 2023.

Every team has the guy who does the little things that go unnoticed. They get less shine than other players and their contributions might not be as lauded in comparison. But that’s okay for those guys and you often see them embrace that role. Those are your “glue guys” and every team needs a handful of them.

In a way, some may say that the majority of the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ roster are made up of these players that do their job, don’t need the recognition, and just always gets it done. Even in that capacity, some guys hold things together by their contributions coming at the right time or when it matters most.

The Hawkeyes have a handful of these players that turn up in big moments, always are in the right place, or make life easier for those around them. Here are the Hawkeyes’ five most impactful “glue guys” entering the 2023 season.

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Iowa Hawkeyes 2023 Positional Breakdown: Scouting the wide receivers

Iowa football has a pretty exciting wide receiver group for the 2023 season. Here is a look at the Hawkeyes’ pass catchers.

Wide receiver is a boom or bust position for the Hawkeyes, and a lot of that result depends on the help around them.

There is talent in this wide receiver room. There was talent in the wide receiver room last year as well. Unfortunately, some outside factors really contributed to a disappointing season from the unit. The group couldn’t stay healthy, and you can’t really make plays if you’re never on the field.

They also didn’t get proper quarterback play either. It was not up to par, and neither was the offensive game plan by offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. Add in some shaky offensive line play, and you have an underwhelming passing attack.

Iowa lost some of the young talent that figured to play a big role in the offense last year. Both Keagan Johnson and Arland Bruce left through the transfer portal. Iowa, however, also used the portal to their advantage to recruit some new exciting players at the position. They also return a few helpful veterans as well.

Here is a look at the wide receiver position for the Hawkeyes in 2023.

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247Sports tabs Iowa wide receivers as position group with most potential improvement

Iowa’s wide receiver room could experience a big breakout in 2023, but only if given the right play from quarterback Cade McNamara.

Out of all the positional groups to watch out for on the Iowa football team, the wide receivers room may be the one to keep an eye on.

After experiencing a ton of change over the offseason, Iowa has reloaded its pass-catching room with a bunch of young, up-and-coming talents. In Sean Bock’s superlatives for every position group ahead of fall camp for Hawkeye Insider of 247Sports, he listed wide receiver as the one with the “most potential improvement.”

Iowa used the transfer portal this offseason to fill missing pieces at wide receiver as it landed Charleston Southern transfer Seth Anderson and Ohio State transfer, Kaleb Brown.

Anderson was the Big South Offensive Player of the Year as a redshirt freshman while Brown was a former four-star recruit, and any wide receiver that is recruited heavily by Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline has the chance to be a game-changer in any offense.

Brown and Anderson were two missing pieces that Iowa needed. An X receiver would’ve been ideal, but Anderson and Brown both have big-time playmaking ability and that’s something Iowa needs. – Bock, Hawkeye Insider.

The wide receiver room is a good mix of these newly transferred in talents such as Seth Anderson and Kaleb Brown, and returning experience. The Hawkeyes bring back Nico Ragaini for his sixth year and will hope Diante Vines can stay healthy and make an impact.

As for returners, Nico Ragaini and Diante Vines will play big roles for the Hawkeyes. Ragaini is the team leader this fall, and could have a 2019-esque year with Cade McNamara under center. Vines has been hindered by injuries throughout his career, but he was one of the top performers in fall camp last year before going down with an injury. Jacob Bostick should also get a mention, too, but he needs to stay healthy. – Bock, Hawkeye Insider.

I think bringing up Cade McNamara is vital, because the quarterback plays a huge role in how effective the wide receivers are. There definitely was talent at the position last year, and I still think Keagan Johnson can be a breakout star for Kansas State this year.

It’s just really hard to show any of that talent when the quarterback cannot reliably make the throws. Combine that with injuries, and you have a wide receiver room that I think looked worse than what they really were. It’s no shock that Charlie Jones immediately became one of the best receivers in the nation the minute he left Iowa.

Iowa will undoubtably have talent at receiver again. We know Nico Ragaini is reliable, and Kaleb Brown has the potential to be the best receiver at Iowa since… ever. What they need is a quarterback who can get the job done, step up and make the throws, and not put a massive handicap on the offense.

If Cade McNamara can be that guy, then sure, this group of pass catchers could certainly make some noise in 2023.

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Iowa Hawkeyes 2023 Snapshot Profile: No. 89 Nico Ragaini

He’s back! Nico Ragaini made the decision to return and should help lead the Hawks’ receivers in 2023. A look at what to expect from Nico.

He’s back folks!

Wide receiver Nico Ragaini is back for his sixth season in Iowa City and it’s a vital retention for the offense. In a position of uncertainty, new quarterback Cade McNamara has at least one proven target returning in Ragaini.

Ragaini has been the same player over the past two years and plays a vital role in the offense. He’s the reliable slot target who handles the dirty work and moves the chains. He allows, in theory, other weapons free roam on the field as he takes care of the less glamorous parts of the game. It’s a very thankless position, and Iowa has been lucky to have a steady constant over the years in Ragaini.

The West Haven, Conn., native will be the veteran voice in the locker room, one who the rest of the team looks up to. He’s seen it all for Iowa over the past five years and will be a great mentor to a budding wide receiver group. Here is a look at what Nico Ragaini brings to the table in 2023.

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Hawkeyes Chalk Talk: How one personnel group can unlock Iowa’s offense in 2023

How can the Hawkeyes unlock their offense in 2023? Here’s the personnel group that can help Iowa do so.

So, now that the talent will be in Iowa City, there are no more excuses. Bluntly put, it is time for the Iowa Hawkeyes’ offense to perform. The transfers of Cade McNamara, Erick All, Seth Anderson, and most recently, Kaleb Brown, have set the stage for an offense desperately searching for answers.

That’s what we are here to look at today. What is a personnel grouping that could unlock this Iowa offense in 2023? Before we get into it, I will give some foundation to where this thought process stems from and why I am comfortable laying it out.

I attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, just a short 45-minute trip east of Iowa City. I played four years of football there as a wide receiver. Now, life wasn’t easy for a 5-foot-9, 185-pound slot receiver that wasn’t the fastest or strongest as you could imagine. Due to that, I had to win with a high football IQ, an understanding of matchups, and quick processing of mathematical advantages (which we will get into later). For example, if a linebacker was on me, that was the time to use my best move. Or if we spread it out and it was a run play, I had to know how to handle a linebacker while giving up quite a bit of size.

Due to experience, countless hours of seeing schemes in film meetings, and studying Iowa’s offense, I believe one personnel grouping could unlock this offense. That is ’12’ personnel.

Let’s get into what ’12’ personnel means and how it could change the Hawkeyes’ offense.

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5 burning offensive questions for the Iowa Hawkeyes heading into spring football

It’s almost time for spring football in Iowa City. What are five burning questions about the Hawkeyes’ offense heading into spring football?

Slowly but surely we are escaping the pit that is the college football offseason. Full of transfers and coaching changes, the offseason can feel like a real slog to get through. This isn’t aided by the weather being bad either, just heightening our offseasonal depression.

It’s been a turbulent one for the Iowa Hawkeyes to say the least. Iowa brought in two big transfers from Michigan, but also saw multiple talented players depart as well. It is going to hurt to see Jestin Jacobs in an Oregon uniform next year, and I’m fully prepared for Keagan Johnson to be a star in the Big 12.

While Iowa managed to put together a good recruiting class, it all felt overshadowed by the guy they weren’t able to bring in. While many will try to criticize Proctor’s decision calling it short sighted, mind you Alabama also routinely sends linemen to the NFL, it’s really hard for me to envision anything but success for the young man. I truly do wish him the best, unless it’s in a national championship against Iowa to which I hope he gives up four sacks.

What else was there? Oh yeah, there was the entire “will they fire him” situation with offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. If it were up to most of the fanbase, the coach’s son would’ve been out the door a long time ago. Even before Iowa’s offense put up horrendous numbers this past season. Iowa did issue him an “ultimatum” though: bring the offense to passable levels and you sir get a raise and a pat on the back.

It still does feel like a bad dream.

It’s felt like all offseason the fanbase has received just kick in the pants after kick in the pants. I’m not sure if the same feeling of optimism is there that I noticed last year. So, how do you fix that? Well, it’s easy folks.

Win.

Winning is the remedy to literally any problem in sports. All of the down moments of the offseason will seem like little blips on the radar if Iowa football gets back to doing what they do in winning.

Of course, the biggest factor in that is the offense. Anyone who is familiar with last year’s team can tell you just how bad it is, and looking back on some of the box scores it truly is the stuff of nightmares. It cannot go on that way. No more wasting Phil Parker’s fantastic defensive efforts and no more wasting the fans’ time!

With the offense in mind, here are five questions about Brian Ferentz’s unit that should be on the minds of every single Iowa football fan.

Iowa Stock Index: Hawkeyes’ stock report after loss to Nebraska

Iowa lost a heartbreaker to Nebraska. Whose stock is rising, whose stock is falling after the loss to the Cornhuskers?

The Iowa Hawkeyes fell 24-17 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a game that felt as though anything that could have went wrong did go wrong. From penalties, to turnovers, to injuries, the Hawkeyes could not catch a break and that came at the worst possible time of the year for it to occur.

As we enter the wait before finding out what bowl game Iowa will be headed to, there is certainly some time for reflection, both positively and what could have went differently. Luckily, the Hawkeyes get one more game. They will be in a bowl and have a chance to end this season with a win and get to a mark of 8-5.

Quite a few Hawkeyes have had their hands in the mix in this game and some did everything they could to pull of the comeback, but there are a few that are seeing their stock rising as we continue down the final stretch of the season.