Lions' Frank Ragnow Receives Praise From Top ESPN Show

ESPN host believes former Hog playing best football of his career

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Sep 29, 2023 5:15 PM EDT
Original:
Sep 29, 2023

In this story:

DETROIT – In such a short amount of time, former Arkansas offensive line star Frank Ragnow has seen his stock rise immensely throughout his first six NFL seasons.The current Lions center began his professional career at left guard and was a Week 1 starter his rookie season. He was a potential draft pick Detroit coveted for more than just his senior season with the Razorbacks.

"Frank is a guy that we've had our eye on for over two years," Lions general manager Bob Quinn told NFL Radio on Sirius XM after he was drafted. “We really feel he can be a two position starter at both center and guard."

Ragnow backed up the confidence the organization had in him by starting all 16 games as a rookie in 2018. He has continued to improve, even being commended as one of the more impressive offensive linemen in the league.

“Ragnow, it all starts with him at the center position,” Pat McAfee Show co-host AJ Hawk said. “When I watch him I say ‘Dang this guy loves football.’”

During the Bret Bielema era, the Razorbacks were considered one of the more physical teams in the country, including while Ragnow anchored the line from 2014-17. During the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the Arkansas starting offensive line was bigger than any in all of football, averaging 328 pounds per man.

The Hogs' run game was potent that season, averaging over 200 yards per game on the ground. As one of the more dynamic offenses in 2015, Ragnow helped the Hogs to average nearly 470 yards per game, good for No. 29 in the nation and second in the SEC.

With Ragnow at the helm, Detroit sits third in the NFL for rushing yards with 546. A lot of the success has to do with his style of play and willingness to block anyone on the field.

“[Ragnow] enjoys being super physical, enjoys getting to the second level,” Hawk said.

Ragnow refuses to give up and thrives off energy created by hitting people. It also helps that Lions coach Dan Campbell brings an intensity that has helped the whole organization buy into his plan. With a 34-20 romp over Green Bay that wasn't nearly as close as the score indicates, the Lions have won 11 of their previous 14 games dating back to last season.

“When you have a center like that ... Ragnow is ascending and continuing to get better and better,” Hawk said. “He’s so physical. It seems like a great, fun place to play”