The awards keep coming for Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland. He was named the Chuck Bednarik National Defensive Player of the Week Thursday, after his performance last week against Arkansas. The senior led Alabama with eight tackles and totaled a sack, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries in the team’s 27-14 win over the Razorbacks.

Ragland was one of seven players of the week, following the Arkansas game.

He was an honoree for defensive player of the week, courtesy of the Southeastern Conference. Ragland currently leads the team in total tackles with 50 and is on the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player nationally).

Senior defensive lineman Jarran Reed adds his name to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, joining Ragland and fellow lineman A’Shawn Robinson. Reed had four total tackles against Arkansas and helped Ragland limit the Razorbacks to 220 yards of offense. Arkansas chimed in with 44 rushing yards on 1.8 yards per carry. Reed has 32 tackles on the season with a sack. Ragland and Reed will anchor Alabama’s defense Saturday against Texas A&M.

CBS Sports will air the contest at 2:30 p.m. CT.

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.

Stephen M. Smith

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 15 years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.