L.C.,

I respect the work and time that you do with looking at recruiting and tend to feel you offer a valid, informed opinion.  Yet, I do have to say, I believe your assumptions that "it's unlikely that he's 'under the radar', and not known to the other FBS coaches in the state" are a bit off. 

I live in the Cincinnati area and after seeing Ragland play a few times this year began wondering if he wasn't a great fit for the Bobcats....his teammate being a 2014 recruit, Moeller running a lot of sets out of the read option, his ability to truly be a dual-threat, etc.  I couldn't believe he hadn't been offered or committed to any FBS schools!  So, I contacted Mike Dyer (Cincinnati Enquirer Recruiting 'Guru') and asked his opinion on the matter.  He also stated how he was surprised that he hadn't gotten the FBS looks yet.  He then detailed that he believed many assumed he was going to be baseball recruit (key member of the 2013 State Championship team) and that he also played receiver as a junior when Moeller won the State Football Championship.  He stated how he believed he was FBS-quality and how everyone he talked to raved about his intelligence on the field and in the classroom and his leadership ability (these stood out even when you watched him play)  I believe he WAS flying a bit "under the radar" as many FBS schools had already "locked up" recruiting by the time this fall football season came around. 

So, on a lark I forwarded this information on to the Cincinnati-area recruiting coordinator for the Bobcats (I believe it is Kevin Lightner...who also had recruited Ragland's teammate...Langenkamp...who, by the way I like a lot).  I doubt they take unsolicited advice from a nobody too seriously.  Yet, to his credit, he did respond and say that he would forward on the information to the recruiting coordinator for quarterbacks.

While I understand we already have a QB commit for 2014 in Duckworth (who looks great on film and looked impressive when I saw him in the stands at the Miami game), I believe Ragland would have been a great fit for us.  He is skilled, competitive, intelligent and comes from the highest-level of competition.  I am disappointed that we didn't get him and believe that he will hurt us down the road at Miami.  I could be way off and am not sure I have any talent evaluation background to stand on.  Let's call it a hunch that I see him having great success at the MAC-level.  I hope I am wrong.

Also, on a side note, I believe that we are always a bit thin at the QB and RB position.  I love this year's class and like how many needs are being met.  Yet, it seems that every year we seems to be a few injuries away from significant problems in the offensive backfield.  Two QB injuries this year would have led us to Sprague and little else in the stable and a reliance on walk-ons and true freshmen....could be in the same boat next year even with Vick, Sprague, Duckworth and Windham?  A few RB injuries could have put us in the hole this year and we might be facing the same situation next year with lots of true and redshirt freshmen to rely on.

Go Cats!

Big Ben was an under the radar player as well.

I want to know now! Leave me hanging on the cliff!

ND TE Alex Welch has announced he's transferring to Miami.  

No receptions in 2013. One for 8 yards before that.

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2013-2014/teamcu...