Nico Ragaini, WR
Iowa
- Ht: 5’11”
- Wt: 190 lbs.
- Hometown:
East Haven, CT - Born: January 26, 1999
Scouting Report: Tough, gritty receiver…sure handed…sneaky athleticism…can help in return game and special teams…possesses intangibles of strong work ethic, high character, football intelligence.
Highlights
Career Summary
2023: Coaches Appreciation Award, offense… One of nine seniors named to 2023 Player Council… Played in all 14 games, starting at wide receiver in six… led the team with 31 receptions for 255 yards (8.2 yards per catch avg., 18.2 yards per game avg.), with a long catch of 29 yards on the season… caught a season-high five passes for 46 yards (long of 13) in 15-13 win over Illinois… led team with four receptions for 28 yards (long of 11) in 12-10 loss vs. Minnesota… had four catches for 48 yards, with a long reception of 17 yards, in 22-0 win over Rutgers… caught three passes for 25 yards (long of 12) in 26-0 loss to Michigan… caught two passes for 36 yards (long of 29) in season-opening 24-14 win over Utah State… had two catches for 18 yards (long of 14) in 26-16 win vs. Michigan State… caught two passes for 13 yards in 15-6 win at Wisconsin… had two receptions for 14 yards in 13-10 win at Nebraska.
2022: Team Hustle Award, offense… one of 12 seniors named to Player Council…Played in 11 games, earning six start at wide receiver… caught 34 passes for 386 yards (11.4 yard avg.) and one touchdown… matched career-high with seven receptions in 9-6 loss at Illinois, good for 46 yards, with a long of 15 yards… matched career-high with seven receptions for 60 yards in 24-17 loss to Nebraska, with a long of 20 yards… had four receptions for 55 yards in 27-14 loss to #4 Michigan, with a long of 28 yards… totaled four receptions for career-best 66 yards in 33-13 win over Northwestern, with a long of 24 yards, along with 12 yards on one rushing attempt… had three receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown in a 24-3 win at Purdue… 29-yard scoring reception gave Iowa a 14-0 advantage.
2021: Team Hustle Award, offense…Played in all 14 games, earning seven starts at wide receiver… caught 26 passes for 331 yards (12.7 yard avg.) and one touchdown… had four receptions for 54 yards in 30-7 win over Kent State , with a career-long of 48 yards to set up Iowa’s final score of the game… posted four receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State., including a game-winning 44-yard touchdown reception with 6:26 remaining in the game
2020: Preseason First Team All-Big Ten punt return specialist by Phil Steele…Saw action in all eight games, with two starts at wide receiver… caught 18 passes for 191 yards (10.6 yard avg.) and two touchdowns… one rushing attempt in 35-7 win at Minnesota resulted in one-yard touchdown for first career rushing score… had four receptions for season-high 61 yards in 24-20 loss at Purdue, with a long of 28 yards… had four receptions for 46 yards in 41-21 win at Penn State, with a long of 26 yards… caught three passes for 16 yards in 21-20 loss to Northwestern… had three receptions for 32 yards in 49-7 win over Michigan State, with a long of 28 yards.
2019: First-team All-Big Ten punt return specialist by Phil Steele…Saw action in all 13 games, with two starts at wide receiver… led team in receptions and ranked third in receiving yards (46-439), with two touchdowns… averaged 10.7 yards on nine punt returns… posted a career-high seven receptions for 55 yards in 17-12 loss to #9 Penn State, with a long of 18 yards… had six receptions for 31 yards in a 26-20 win over Purdue, with a long of 13 yards… tallied six receptions for 32 yards in 24-22 loss at #16 Wisconsin, including three-yard reception for first career touchdown… had six receptions for 46 yards at in 10-3 loss at #18 Michigan… career-best four punt returns for 54 yards at Michigan, including a long of 17 yards… led team with five receptions for 43 yards in 18-17 win at Iowa State, with a long of 18 yards… one punt return for 15 yards at Iowa State, which led to Iowa’s only touchdown… caught two passes for 30 yards in 23-19 win over #7 Minnesota, including a 21-yard scoring reception on Iowa’s first drive of the game… had one reception for 45 yards in 38-14 win over Miami to set up a touchdown, along with one rushing attempt for two yards… also had two punt returns for 16 yards vs. Miami.
2018: Redshirted… saw action in three games, recording one reception for seven yards… saw action in 38-14 win over Northern Iowa as offense gained 545 yards total offense… first career reception for seven yards vs. UNI… one of 12 true freshmen to see game action.High school honors – – Two-time Male Athlete of the Year in New Haven… earned All-New England recognition at prep school… earned all-state honors for final three high school seasons after starting as a wide receiver as a freshman… named to Walter Camp all-state team as a junior and senior… National Honor Society member… Career – – Four-year football letterman as wide receiver and defensive back, helping prep team win 26 games in final three seasons… career totals include 3,345 receiving yards in four seasons… set state record for career receptions (222)… 46 receptions for 923 yards and nine touchdowns in prep school… as a senior recorded 59 receptions for 988 yards… totaled 1,591 all-purpose yards and scored 13 touchdowns… added 41 tackles and two interceptions on defense… collected 64 receptions for 903 yards as a junior, totaling 1,708 all-purpose yards… as a sophomore recorded 71 receptions for 1,036 yards and 14 touchdowns… 28 receptions for 418 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman… also participated in lacrosse and indoor track as a prep… holds school lacrosse records for career assists (109) and points (180)… earned all-state recognition in track on 4 x 400-meter relay unit… team captain as a senior.Personal – – Born 1/26/1999… sport and recreation management major… parents are Josanna and Gianni Ragaini… high school coach was Tom Marcucci… prep school coach was Bill Mella.