Hogs' Ragnow healthy, ready for NFL combine

Arkansas center Frank Ragnow (72) blocks during a game against New Mexico State on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Frank Ragnow, back to 100 percent after ankle surgery in October, will lead a contingent of three Arkansas Razorbacks heading to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week.

Ragnow and fellow offensive linemen will report today along with kickers and punters in group 2 for the workouts and testing at Lucas Oil Stadium, while quarterback Austin Allen is scheduled to arrive with group 4 on Wednesday, and defensive back Henre Toliver is scheduled for arrival Friday with group 10.

ADVERTISEMENT

More headlines

Arkansas State's Ja'Von Rolland-Jones will report with the defensive linemen in group 8 on Thursday.

Ragnow, who played with a severe left ankle injury in the Razorbacks' 52-20 loss to No. 21 Auburn on Oct. 21, is considered one of the top centers available in the NFL Draft. He allowed no sacks and only one quarterback hurry in 2017 and was rated the nation's No. 1 offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus. He and Ohio State's Billy Price, who both can play center and guard, are considered the top two centers available in the draft.

Ragnow, who has been training in Minneapolis, said he reached full strength about two weeks ago.

"I don't think I'll be doing much there," Ragnow said, in terms of on-field testing. "I'll save it for my pro day, because all these guys going in Indy, they've had like two months to train. So I'll save everything for my pro day."

The Razorbacks' pro day is scheduled for March 26.

Ragnow said the combine, just like his two-day appearance at the Senior Bowl in January, is still very important for him.

"I don't think a lot of people realize how important the interviews are at the combine, just talking to the coaches and the GMs," he said. "A big thing for me is getting the medical tests and seeing that my ankle has healed properly and everything."

Allen, a 15-game starter at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, missed four games last season with a right shoulder injury he suffered in a 48-22 loss at South Carolina on Oct. 7. The Fayetteville native returned at less than 100 percent on Nov. 11 at LSU and will also get health questions from NFL personnel in Indianapolis.

Allen completed 105 of 187 passes (56.1 percent) for 1,427 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions last year.

Allen and LSU's Danny Etling are the only SEC quarterbacks among the 19 at the combine, which include Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma, 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville, and Memphis' Riley Ferguson.

Toliver, of Marrero, La., turned in a solid senior season as the Razorbacks' top cornerback after Ryan Pulley was lost with a pectoral injury in the season opener.

Toliver finished with 43 tackles, seventh on the team, and team highs with 3 interceptions for 66 return yards, 8 pass breakups and a fumble return for a touchdown in the season opener against Florida A&M. Toliver had perhaps the best game of his career in the season finale, with 2 interceptions for 63 return yards and a 33-yard punt return in the Hogs' 48-45 loss to Missouri.

At a glance

2018 NFL SCOUTING COMBINE

WHEN Today through March 5 WHERE Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis ARKANSAS PLAYERS ENTERED Frank Ragnow (University of Arkansas), Austin Allen (University of Arkansas), Henre Toliver (University of Arkansas), Ja’Von Rolland-Jones (Arkansas State University)

Sports on 02/27/2018