Introduction
Reggie Keith Ragland Jr. (born September 23, 1993) is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.
High school career
A native of Madison, Alabama, Ragland attended Bob Jones High School, where he was a varsity player in both football and basketball. As a sophomore, he played small forward on a basketball team that upset No. 1 Homewood to win the 2009–10 AHSAA Class 6A Championship, with Levi Randolph being named MVP. Meanwhile, on the football field Ragland had 40 receptions as a tight end and six touchdowns. Mostly playing defense as a junior, Ragland accounted for 91 tackles in 2010 with 21 tackles for loss. Bob Jones went 8–4 over the season, losing 21–28 to Clay-Chalkville in the first round of the 6A playoffs. In his senior season, Ragland was credited with 97 tackles with 22 tackles for loss and six sacks. The Patriots allowed only 13 points per game and were 10–2 on the season, losing to the eventual 6A state runner-up Hoover in the second round of the playoffs. Ragland was also on the Patriots track & field team, where he competed in the discus throw (94 ft 8 in) and the shot put (45 ft 5 in)
Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Ragland was listed as the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect in his class. Shortly after his junior season, he committed to Alabama over Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee.
College career
As a true freshman on Alabama's 2012 championship team, Ragland played in 10 games, primarily on special teams, and was credited with eight tackles, include five solo stops, and a forced fumble. In his sophomore season, he appeared in 13 games, and compiled 17 tackles on the season as a back-up to C. J. Mosley. Both he and Reuben Foster were the leading candidates to replace Mosley at the “Will” linebacker spot in Alabama's 3–4 defense. Ragland eventually won out over Foster, starting all but one game for the Crimson Tide in 2014. He recorded 95 tackles on the season, which ranked second on the team behind only Landon Collins. Ragland also had 10.5 tackles for loss (−27 yards), 1.5 sacks (−12 yards), and a team-high three fumble recoveries. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after a career-high 13 tackles against Louisiana State.
College stats
| Year | GP | TSolo | TAsst | TOT | TFL | TFLYDS | SCK | SCKYDS | INT | INTYDS | TD | FF | FR | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 46 | 47 | 93 | 10.5 | 27 | 1.5 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 27 | 52 | 58 | 110 | 9.0 | 28 | 1.5 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Professional career
In March 2016, Ragland was predicted as a mid-first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Prior to the draft, however, medical exams revealed Ragland having an enlarged aorta. Although reports stated this will not affect his football career, several teams had lowered Ragland on their draft boards as a result.
| Ht | Wt | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yd dash | 10-yd split | 20-yd split | 20-ss | 3-cone | Vert | Broad | BP | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1 1⁄4 in | 247 lb | 32 in | 9 7⁄8 in | 4.72 s | 1.65 s | 2.75 s | 4.28 s | 31 1⁄2 in | 9 ft 8 in | ||||||||||
| All values from NFL Combine, | |||||||||||||||||||
He was eventually drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 2nd round, 41st overall. The Bills traded their 2nd round pick (49th overall), their first fourth round pick (117th overall), and their 2017 4th round pick to the Chicago Bears for the 41st overall pick. On August 5, 2016, during training camp, Ragland suffered an injury to the left knee that turned out to be a torn ACL; and as a result he missed the entire 2016 NFL season. On August 30, 2016, Ragland was officially placed on injured reserve.