Isaiah Ragland had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable to become a leader at Villanova
The junior running back was named a captain for the first time this season, and part of his role has been helping the Wildcats through their rough start.
Isaiah Ragland has seen Villanova reach success during the junior’s first two seasons as a Wildcat, which included last year’s run to the FCS semifinals.
This year has gotten off to a rocky start, as Villanova has fallen to 2-3 and 1-2 in the Patriot League, while also leading the conference in total penalties and penalty yards per game.
However, for Ragland, there is no lack of drive to turn things around as Villanova prepares for another matchup, against Morgan State on Saturday (1 p.m., ESPN+), before entering a bye week.
“We’re definitely hungry,” Ragland said. “As a team, we know it’s not the outcomes that we’ve wanted. But, it definitely has made us more hungry and made us more focused on the goals that we do have, not only for the future but right now — focus on the now.”
A bright spot for Villanova has been its backfield tandem of Ragland and Ja’briel Mace. A season ago, both were part of a running back by committee system, with David Avit and Isaiah Wright also getting carries. After Wright graduated and Avit transferred to Arizona State, it’s been the two juniors splitting the carries.
And the early results have been promising. They’ve combined for 555 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, with Ragland scoring three of the five.
“It’s been really good, because me and him feed off each other and we feed off the [offensive] line because we only go as far as [they] take us,” Ragland said. “We have a great line, great coaches, staff and our coaches push us and I like to push our line and they like to push us. I think it’s a great compliment to just feed off each other.”
Ragland was elected as captain by his teammates for the first time. For head coach Mark Ferrante, he has always trusted Ragland and has seen his growth on the field.
“He’s trying to lead,” Ferrante said. “Once [you’ve] been elected captain, you have a little added burden to your habits and practice in your communication with team members. ... He does a really good job behind the scenes, he does a really good job communicating with the guys.”
Ragland admitted he was hesitant about speaking up in the past, but has learned with additional responsibility he needed to operate outside of his comfort zone.
“I’ve definitely been more of a lead by example type of guy, but I know if this team needs [it], you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and something I was uncomfortable with in the past has been talking more,” Ragland said. “I’ve definitely tried to step into that role a bit more and I think it’s definitely helping us for sure.”
But besides Villanova’s backfield, the Wildcats have struggled through the first five games. They allowed six sacks against Colgate. Quarterback Pat McQuaide has thrown five total interceptions, and the Wildcats have committed 44 total penalties.
Ferrante called Villanova its “own worst enemy” after last Saturday’s loss to Colgate. The Wildcats haven’t found their footing yet as they did last season.
“We got to keep working, keep grinding, keep tapping the rock as we like to say and hopefully, the rock will crack and we’ll get the results that we’re working towards and aiming for,” Ferrante said. “But right now, we haven’t done it consistently enough for four quarters.”
After experiencing successful seasons as an underclassman, the page has flipped for Ragland to be the guy to look up to.
“Just having the mindset to go 1-0, focus on that,” Ragland said. “Every game is not going to be an easy game. You got to respect every opponent you go against because it’s going to be a dogfight every time you go out there, but just having a ‘go 1-0′ mindset, think it’ll definitely help you.”
