'07 NJ TE Mike Ragone (Signed LOI to Notre Dame)

[grantphilly]

IK1023, I doubted you at first but now I have seen the light

 

[Irishknight1023]

IK1023, I doubted you at first but now I have seen the light

--------- Worship me not, for I am merely human.

 

[RichardRiot]

-----I wasn't even TALKING about Ragone so read carefully next time.

My comment wasn't intended to be critical of you; it was in regards to the many comments wondering about 'why' Ragone wasn't on campus. You can unbunch your shorts now.....

 

[GoshenGipper]

It was mentioned on Power Hour that the NCAA Clearing House issuse has been resolved and Mike will be back on campus soon.

 

[Irishknight1023]

Wait what was the problem in the first place?

 

[GoshenGipper]

It was orginally reported that he was a home dealing with some personal family issues. It then later leaked out that at somewhere along the line, weather it was Mike, his HS, or the ND Admissions Dept., that his transcrip was somehow messed up and he hadn't been cleared by the NCAA Clearing House, which would prohibit him from being on campus. What ever the problem was it has now been fixed and he should be arriving on campus this weekend and he'll be ready to go for practice on Mon.

 

[Junkhead]

It was orginally reported that he was a home dealing with some personal family issues. It then later leaked out that at somewhere along the line, weather it was Mike, his HS, or the ND Admissions Dept., that his transcrip was somehow messed up and he hadn't been cleared by the NCAA Clearing House, which would prohibit him from being on campus. What ever the problem was it has now been fixed and he should be arriving on campus this weekend and he'll be ready to go for practice on Mon.

Great info and good to hear!

 

[bostonirish1908]

Isn't he on campus now, because we need the help at WR

 

[Irishknight1023]

Isn't he on campus now, because we need the help at WR

-----He is a Tight End.

 

[Jason Pham]

And no, he'll be on campus by Monday.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Tight End U baby! Go Irish!

 

[grantphilly]

What kind of fuckin mickey mouse operation is the NCAA running here

 

[Irish Man3]

Ragone is out for the year per ESPN with a knee injury

 

[IrishLax]

Well that really, really sucks. Welch and Golic need to get healthy. Anyone know how many more weeks they are out?

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Too bad for him. Time for Koyack

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Well that really, really sucks. Welch and Golic need to get healthy. Anyone know how many more weeks they are out?

Eric Hansen via Twitter:

#NotreDame coach Brian Kelly will get backup tight ends Alex Welch (foot infection) & Jake Golic (broken arm) back this week.

 

[BeauBenken]

Golic and Welch are supposed to be good for this week. Per NDatRivals:

NDatRivals Irish Illustrated
Alex Welch and Jake Golic have been cleared to play and compete. Danny Spond with a hamstring injury, per #NotreDame HC Brian Kelly.

Damn Whiskey. You're faster than me.

 

[jonesman]

Thank you Mike!!! This guy will never be seen in the stats, but if you watch him play he is a relentless blocker who played with passion. Thanks for your years at ND. We hope you consider coming back for a 6th year!! Thanks much!!!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Putting off surgery right now to be a mentor to the young guys.

Talking about trying to come back for a 6th year.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Putting off surgery right now to be a mentor to the young guys.

Talking about trying to come back for a 6th year.

Would love to have him back for 2012. His ferocious blocking is missed.

 

[irishfanjho15]

Would love to have him back for 2012. His ferocious blocking is missed.

Yes, he could really set the tone for running the ball next year. Nothing like a smash mouth TE banging on LBs all day then beating them time after time on pass routes. Really breaks defenses' wills.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Here's a BGI freebie that expounds on GITF's above post:

Ragone still contributing

Despite a season-ending knee injury, Kelly talked about tight end Mike Ragone’s valuable role with the team, which may or may not include a sixth season next fall.

“Mike has really been a great mentor to those young tight ends,” Kelly said. “You’ve got three really inexperienced tight ends and he’s been great. He rooms with them; he spends a lot of extra time with those guys. He’s been a coach for us. He has done a great job. He has been at every single practice. He has put off surgery just to be with the guys. He’s going to get it done, but he has put it off because he is so much wanting to be a part of what we’re doing.

“He’s just committed to these guys and helping our team.”

Because Ragone has missed the majority of two different seasons due to injury, he could apply for a sixth year of eligibility.

“It’s something that we’re talking about,” Kelly said.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

I still love the thought of him running down the Washington State player after the blocked PAT in San Antonio.

und.com Play of the Game - Washington State - YouTube

Outstanding Play, even Weis thought it was as good as that flipping awesome catch by Golden that same game.

Go Irish, and best of luck to you Ragone!

 

[Buster Bluth]

Kelly's got a tough call to make on the sixth-year.

Take a veteran TE who isn't going to give you anything in the passing game, but is an excellent blocker, or use your elite TE corp made up of guys who appear to be above average at blocking and are better when they're flexed out.

I think it'll depend on the recruiting class. You just have to take an elite recruit over one more year with Ragone.

Regardless, who wouldn't want to be a member of the Notre Dame football team for six years?!

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Ragone has done well as a blocking TE, with having said that, I think Koyack has made it clear that he could be a possible bruiser. Also, I have seen some good things from Eifert in the run game as well. We are so deep at TE. 6th year? What do I know.. but I would save the spot.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Well I hope he gets a six year whether it be at Notre Dame or another school.

 

[Grahambo]

Eric Hansen ‏ @hansensouthbend

#NotreDame tight end Mike Ragone granted 6th year by NCAA but will head to Kansas to join Charlie Weis and Dayne Crist:


Good luck to you Mike. Please stay healthy!

 

[irishmarine]

Good for him. Happy he will reunite with those guys and wish him the best

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Cool. Rock Chalk, Mike.

 

[irishfan]

You could see this one coming. Good for him. Hope he starts. His play against Wash St shows what kind of athlete he is.