Senior inside linebacker Reggie Ragland wants to be on the field at all times.
He excelled at stopping the run last season, totaling 95 tackles with 10.5 for loss, but his focus this year is on directing traffic, playing sound in coverage and developing pass rush skills.
Ragland has worked beside junior inside linebacker Reuben Foster for much of fall practice, yet there have been a few sessions where he was seen training beside Tim Williams, Denzel Devall and outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi. The purpose of this is for Ragland to continue dissecting plays and attack the football, no matter where he is on the field.
The 6-foot-2, 252-pound senior has been productive in fall practice, earning praises from head coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.
Ragland has been named to multiple preseason All-American, all-conference and award watch lists. A strong performance this season will create a first round NFL Draft stock for him.
Ragland is Alabama’s clear-cut defensive captain.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
