Frank Ragnow Bio
Frank William Ragnow is an American former professional football player who played as a center in the National Football League (NFL). He spent all seven of his NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, establishing himself as one of the league’s most reliable interior offensive linemen. A first-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Ragnow earned four Pro Bowl selections and three second-team All-Pro honors during his career.
Before joining the NFL, Ragnow starred at the University of Arkansas, where he was a two-time First-team All-American and is remembered as one of the top offensive linemen in program history. He briefly attempted a return to the field late in 2025 before a failed physical ended the comeback.
Frank Ragnow Career
Early Life and Background
Frank William Ragnow was born on May 17, 1996, in Victoria, Minnesota. He grew up in nearby Chanhassen and attended Chanhassen High School, where he developed into a highly regarded offensive line prospect. As a senior, he was rated as the 24th-best offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 3 prospect from Minnesota, earning a four-star evaluation from ESPN.
Beyond football, Ragnow was a standout in track and field. He competed in the shot put at the Minnesota Class AA State Finals, finishing in second place with a throw of 57 feet 6.25 inches. He also drew college interest from Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Florida State before ultimately committing to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Path to the NFL
Ragnow was recruited to Arkansas by head coach Bret Bielema and offensive line coach Sam Pittman, whose development helped shape his early career. He appeared in nine games as a true freshman in 2014, contributing at center while helping Arkansas win the Texas Bowl and post the SEC’s best mark in sacks allowed. He did not surrender a single sack individually that season.
As a sophomore in 2015, Ragnow started all thirteen games at right guard and allowed no sacks over the final seven games of the year. He then moved to center in 2016, starting 12 games there and one at right guard while logging more than 900 snaps, earning First-team All-SEC and First-team All-American recognition. He closed his Razorbacks career as a senior starter in 2017, repeating both honors and finishing his college career without allowing a sack.
Early Career (2018–2020)
The Detroit Lions selected Ragnow in the first round, 20th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft, making him the first center taken that year and the highest-drafted center in Arkansas history. He signed a four-year, $11.78 million rookie contract that included $9.21 million in guarantees. Although he had played center at Arkansas, Detroit moved him to left guard as a rookie, where he started all 16 games and made his professional debut in a Week 1 loss to the New York Jets.
After starting every game of his rookie season, Ragnow transitioned to center in 2019 following the departure of Graham Glasgow, where he remained for the rest of his career. In December 2020, his strong play was recognized with his first Pro Bowl selection, marking him as one of the league’s rising interior linemen.
Lions Tenure and Extension (2021–2024)
On April 28, 2021, Detroit exercised the fifth-year option on Ragnow’s rookie deal, and on May 7, 2021, the Lions signed him to a four-year contract extension worth $54 million, securing his long-term future at the position. His 2021 season was disrupted by a toe injury that landed him on injured reserve in October, limiting him to four starts, but he returned healthy the following year.
In 2022, Ragnow started all 16 games and earned his second Pro Bowl nod. He started 15 regular season games plus all three of Detroit’s postseason contests in 2023, adding a third Pro Bowl selection and his second Second-team All-Pro honor. In 2024, he started all 16 regular season games and the Lions’ lone playoff game, earning his fourth Pro Bowl selection and third Second-team All-Pro recognition while finishing his career with 96 games played and 96 games started.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ragnow built his reputation on technical soundness, leverage, and football intelligence, allowing no sacks across his entire college career at Arkansas. In the NFL, he excelled as a tone-setter at the line of scrimmage, combining a strong base with the agility to handle modern zone-blocking schemes. His consistency, durability, and communication skills made him a focal point of Detroit’s offensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ragnow became the highest-drafted center in Arkansas history, surpassing Steve Korte, who was taken 38th overall in 1983. He was a key figure in Detroit’s resurgence as a competitive team, anchoring an offensive line that supported the Lions’ run to the NFC Championship Game in the 2023 season. On June 2, 2025, he announced his retirement from the NFL, closing one of the most decorated careers by a Lions lineman in recent memory.
Frank Ragnow Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Frank William Ragnow was raised in the Chanhassen area of Minnesota, where he developed into a highly recruited athlete at Chanhassen High School. He is active on social media, sharing updates through his Instagram account and his X (formerly Twitter) profile under the handle @knarfwongar.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season began with Ragnow already retired, following his farewell announcement on June 2, 2025, after seven seasons in the league. He initially stepped away from the game with the Detroit Lions, who had built their offensive identity around his play at center.
On November 26, 2025, Ragnow announced his intention to come out of retirement and rejoin the Lions midway through the season, raising hopes of a late-year boost to Detroit’s offensive line. Three days later, however, he failed his physical exam after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 hamstring strain, ending any chance of a return for the remainder of the year.
