News broke on Thursday that the NCAA granted former Notre Dame tight end Mike Ragone a sixth year of eligibility. But instead of suiting up for the Fighting Irish next fall, Ragone will reunite with Charlie Weis and play for the Kansas Jayhawks. He’ll join quarterback Dayne Crist as the second former Weis recruit to transfer to KU in recent months. This is great news for a young man who’s yet to reach his full potential on the field.
Ragone is a former four-star recruit whose time at Notre Dame was hampered by injuries and off-the-field issues. Although he’s had three major knee surguries since his senior year in high school, he remains optimistic about his health and recently explained that his “knee feels great now.” If he can stay healthy, Ragone would give the Jayhawks a physical blocker and give Crist a familiar target in the passing game. With a depth chart full of underclassmen and Weis’ penchant for using multiple tight ends, Ragone should have every opportunity to make the most of his additional year of eligibility.
Ragone is certainly not taking this unique opportunity lightly. He’s been working out on his own since the Irish returned from the Champs Sports Bowl and will continue to do so until he joins the Jayhawks this summer. In an interview with Eric Hansen of the South Bend Tribune, Ragone explained, “I’m pretty excited right now [and] I want to do big things, now that I have this chance.” While it is difficult to predict what kind of impact Ragone will ultimately have on the field, his attitude, work ethic and hustle will be an asset for the Jayhawks. Anyone recall his saving tackle in the Washington State Game (ironically, Weis’ last win at Notre Dame)?
Ragone should be an excellent addition to the Jayhawks and odds are he won’t be the last former Weis recruit to transfer to Kansas. Rumor has it that reserve linebacker Anthony McDonald could be the next former Irish player to join the Jayhawks. Throw in Rob Ianello as recruiting coordinator/wide receivers coach and Ron Powlus as quarterbacks coach and the 2012 Jayhawks will look a lot like Notre Dame circa 2008. Although that team limped its way to a 7-6 finish, KU Notre Dame Light fans would welcome that kind of season after the 2-10 turd Turner Gill laid.
In any event, with a number of former Irish players and coaches now sporting crimson and blue, I plan on heading west on K-10 to tailgate and watch the Jayhawk’s spring game April 28. I may even attend a few games in the fall. While I wish they all could have experienced more success at Notre Dame, I will be rooting for them this coming season. Rock Chalk!
