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New Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly believes the weekend arrest of a
backup tight end on a drug charge is "a serious matter'' and the
player may be disciplined, a spokesman said Tuesday.
State police said Mike Ragone, who has two years of
eligibility remaining, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of
marijuana possession Saturday morning about 45 miles east of South
Bend because he was allegedly going 83 mph in a 70 mph zone on the
Indiana Toll Road.
The trooper making the stop smelled marijuana, searched the
car and found two baggies of a leafy substance in the purse of
Ragone's girlfriend. A field test indicated it was marijuana.
According to probable cause affidavits filed by Trooper Tony
LoMonaco, Ragone gave the baggies to his girlfriend to hide in her
purse as they were being pulled over. LoMonaco said Ragone waived
his right to remain silent and said the marijuana belonged to him.
Ragone has an unlisted telephone number and could not be
reached for comment. It was not known if he has hired a lawyer. A
spokeswoman for the LaGrange County prosecutor's office said formal
charges were pending.
Ragone, 21, of Laurel Springs, N.J., and his 21-year-old
girlfriend were each arrested on charges of marijuana possession,
which carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail. Each was
released on a $2,000 bond.
Brian Hardin, director of football media relations, said
Kelly was aware of Ragone's arrest and "feels it is a serious
matter.''
"He has spoken with Mike but any team-related action that may
be forthcoming would be handled internally,'' Hardin said.
Ragone had one catch in 11 games as a freshman. He missed the
2008 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his
left knee. Last season he had six catches for 60 yards.
The Irish don't have much experience at tight end other than
starter Kyle Rudolph, who had 33 catches for 364 yards last season.
Others competing for playing time include Bobby Burger, who had two
catches for 10 yards last season, Tyler Eifert, who was injured and
didn't play after last year's season-opener, and Jake Golic, who
did not play as a freshman. Incoming freshman Alex Welch is
expected to enroll next month.
