Versatile athlete gearing up for season
Antonio Ragston out of Hempstead, Texas is a prospect with a lot of versatility. Not many players can convert from defensive end to starting quarterback in the span of one offseason with success but that is exactly what Ragston has done.
"I moved to quarterback after my sophomore year," Ragston said. "During the 7-on-7, they moved me to quarterback and gave me a shot and I've been at it ever since."
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As a quarterback, Ragston has the athletic ability to be a running threat with the ball but he didn't feel the need this past season.
"Really I can do either, run or pass but we have so many skill players that I didn't have to run it so I just dropped back," he said. "But I can do either one."
As a junior, Ragston through for 881 yards and nine touchdowns despite missing three games with injury. This season his goal is more team-oriented than individually focused.
"I'm trying to do whatever it takes to get past the first round," he said. "Last year in the first round it was 7 to 7 going into the 4th quarter. I got hurt in the 4th quarter and we lost 7-17. My shoulder popped out of place and my team just went down.
"I really though we were going to win. I was in the hospital by the time the game was over and we had lost."
The recruiting game is still getting going for Ragston and he is still finding out about which schools are inquiring.
"As far as my coach, he keeps it kind of a secret but I get a lot of letters and stuff," he said. "My coach is the type that he wants to keep you working hard. He doesn't want you getting a big head."
Among the schools that Ragston has interest in are Oklahoma State, Houston and LSU.