Ad Disclosure
Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland didn’t have a ton to prove at this year’s Senior Bowl.
Projected as a high draft pick even before the 2015 season, he made what was to some a curious decision to return to Tuscaloosa for his senior year. All he did was serve as the leader of arguably the nation’s best defense, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors and winning a national title.
That’s almost guaranteed him a first-round pick regardless of how he performs this week in Mobile.
Still, he’s been playing at outside linebacker to show his versatility and his pass-rush abilities. So far, he’s been very impressive.
Alabama LB Reggie Ragland gets the best of Georgia OT John Theus.#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/te4jEsJCds
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 26, 2016
This is where it gets real for the backs. Alabama RB Drake v. Alabama LB Ragland in blitz pickup drill.#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/Zvs1sRd6v2
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 26, 2016
Said NFL.com analyst Mike Mayock: “I’m a Reggie Ragland fan. He’s going to step in on Day 1 and run somebody’s defense. He’s a top-20 pick all day long. He’s 260 pounds, so the question is, can he play on third down, can he play the passing game? I think he can. Just because of his leadership skills, his toughness, I think he’s going to be a three-down linebacker and a top-20 pick.”
Senior Bowl: Bama LB Reggie Ragland tore up 1-on-1 pass rush with athleticism & power. Moves well in the open field at 6-1, 259. Stud.
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) January 26, 2016
Ragland just bull rushed Texas Tech RB DeAndre Washington in pass pro drills and went over him like a speed bump. No fair.#SeniorBowl
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 27, 2016
Attending the event, coach Nick Saban also spoke to NFL.com about his former senior leader.
“He’s got a lot of diversity as a player. The fact that he played inside ‘backer for us — he was an outside ‘backer to start with in his career and he did some pass rushing,” Saban said. “So I’m sure it intrigues especially 3-4 (defenses) to see him play outside. I think the more diversity you have, the more value you have.”
That’s high praise for a player who stood out from a group that included guys like A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster, Eddie Jackson and Cyrus Jones.
For his part, Ragland seems very comfortable with what he’s shown to NFL scouts thus far.
Reggie Ragland asks Nick Saban to have Miss Terry help him suit shopping. pic.twitter.com/kWvIfViR9W
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) January 28, 2016
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
