FSU offer surprised Ragnow

Victoria (Minn.) Chanhassen offensive tackle Frank Ragnow was ecstatic when the in-state Minnesota Golden Gophers became his first scholarship offer last summer. When his second offer came earlier this month from Florida State, however, Ragnow was stunned with disbelief.

"I was just in awe. I couldn't believe it," Ragnow said. "Of all schools, Florida State probably would have been one of the least that I expected.

"It was basically out of the blue. One morning I woke up to a direct message on Twitter from Rick Trickett, their o-line coach, telling me to call them as soon as possible. He said he has been watching my film the past two days and he wanted to offer me; he was blown away."

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Ragnow has been talking with his parents about a potential trip to Tallahassee and expects one to be made either in the summer, or in the fall as an official visit.

After holding just the offer from Minnesota for the last seven months, adding one from Florida State has changed Ragnow's outlook on the recruiting process.

"I guess I realized I am going to have a big decision to make," he said. "Hopefully a lot of schools will be involved."

Outside of the two schools that have offered, Ragnow said Iowa State, Ohio State and Nebraska have started to turn up the heat on his recruitment recently. He also maintains close contact with Wisconsin. This weekend he will attend the Adidas Invitational in Michigan, giving him a chance to check out two Midwest programs.

"On the way there we are stopping at Northwestern and Notre Dame," Ragnow said. "I am looking forward to meeting those coaches."