USC Targeting Notre Dame Commit Mike Ragone?
Last week Florida poached Justin Trattou from Notre Dame’s commitment list. This week it looks like USC may be trying to visit Mike Ragone according to LA Daily Neews writer Scott Wolf:
USC coach Pete Carroll is scheduled to visit with Marvin Austin, the No. 1-ranked defensive tackle in the country, today. But we also hear Carroll might visit tight end Mike Ragone, who committed to Notre Dame almost nine months ago.
The Trojans do not have a tight end commitment this year and according to their prospect list on Scout.com, they only have Eric Brooks (#57 tight end), Trey Henderson (#64 tight end), and Mikhail Marinovich (Not Ranked) left on the board.
Last week’s defection by Trattou certainly surprised me, but I could at least understand it because of his concerns over how he would be used in the 3-4. Ragone switching, however, would completely shock me because of how well tight ends have performed in Charlie Weis’s offense. That success has led to Notre Dame landing the #2 ranked tight end last year in Konrad Reuland and the #2 ranked tight end this year in Ragone.
Frank Vitovitch has been Co-Owner and Editor in Chief of UHND.com since joining forces with Kyle Flavin in 1999. Since that time, he has written over 2,000 articles covering Notre Dame football, recruiting, and basketball. He also works with all staff and external writers on all articles published on UHND.com. Frank's love for Notre Dame football started at a young age watching Rocket Ismail give opposing coaches ulcers in the late 1980's. By day Frank works in marketing and holds a degree in Digital Media from Drexel University. Frank's work has been cited by online/print editions of NBC Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has been quoted on air by ESPN's Collin Cowherd. He's conducted interviews with Notre Dame legends Rocket Ismail, Randy Kinder, Lee Becton, Reggie Brooks, Michael Stonebreaker, and Ned Bolcar among others over his 20+ years of covering Notre Dame football. He's also been published in the print edition of USA Today Sports Weekly and the USA Today College Football Preview multiple times. Other Published Works/Citations for Frank Three Reasons Notre Dame Will Beat Alabama - USA Today Notre Dame Suspends WR Kevin Stepherson, RB C.J. Holmes Indefinitely - Bleacher Report Notre Dame / Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Preview - Eleven Warriors Brace Yourself: The Fighting Irish are Relevant Again - Sports on Earth Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Frank Vitovitch of UHND - Yahoo! Sports Five Good Minutes: Notre Dame Football Preview With UHND.com - BC Interruption Vicious Electronic Questioning with UHND - MGO Blog
Andy:
Weis better actually beat a ranked team in the next two years or else he’s gone. And then you won’t have to worry about losing a Ragone quality player because you won’t get them. You don’t get them on defense, at least.
Another reason kids should be able to “early commit.” Coaches being able to poach from one another is not good for the game. It just breeds more poaching and an eye for an eye attitude.
As far as Carroll is concerned, he should watch out. If he lives by the sword of poaching, he may die from it, too, because the specter of sanctions against his program as a result of Bushgate may get even more play by opposing coaches on his own recruits during this last 8 days of recruiting.