Sheer terror. It was the emotion felt by Arkansas’ quarterback Brandon Allen each time he was greeted by No. 19 in crimson and white. Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland was on a mission. Former Crimson Tide linebackers Rolando McClain, Donta Hightower, Courtney Upshaw and C.J. Mosley all had at least one game at Alabama in which they dominated.
Ragland, a native of Madison Ala., had his moment Saturday night against the Razorbacks.
The 6-foot-2, 252-pound senior was all over the field. He was exceptional in run support, delivered hits on receivers and tight ends in coverage and applied pressure on the quarterback.
Ragland led Alabama’s defense with eight total tackles, a sack, a pass breakup, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. He anchored a front seven that held Arkansas to 44 rushing yards. Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Ragland had “one of his best games.”
“Reggie has been great for us all year. He collected a lot of tackles,” Saban said after Saturday’s game.
Ragland leads the team in tackles this season with 50. He was one of multiple Crimson Tide players that were listed for preseason accolades. Ragland has his eyes on the Butkus Award.
He could have gone professional after a solid year in 2014, but Ragland returned to Alabama for his senior season. He came back in search of three things: a degree, a higher draft stock and a opportunity to play for a national championship.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
