Iowa Football: 5 breakout freshmen to watch in 2018

The final freshman to watch in the 2018 season is receiver Nico Ragaini. Ragaini played his prep football at Avon Old Farms School in Avon, Conn. A player of Ragaini’s stature is a common sight for Hawkeye fans who have seen the likes of Matt Vandeberg and Riley McCarron over the past few seasons. Ragaini hopes to bolster a promising young receiving corp.

Ragaini’s playing style is a carbon copy of the Bill Belichick slot receiver prototype. He isn’t going to set the world on fire with his speed, but he is fast enough and slippery enough to be gone when he gets in the open field. Ragaini hands are solid much like McCarron and Vandeberg, which makes him a valid option at the slot receiver this fall.

Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way-too-early complete first round

The youth movement occurring in Iowa City over the past two years is very strong and has brought in very many talented individuals, and these five mentioned have a great chance of continuing this movement for another couple of years.