When asked how his role is different from this year compared to last year, Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland had a quick answer.
“Getting on the field really,” Ragland said. “Finally getting a chance to get on the field because, you know, I had All-Americans in front of me.”
With C.J. Mosley and Nico Johnson above him on the depth chart for years, Ragland had to wait his turn. But now that he’s getting some time, the former five-star recruit is playing well. He’s second only to Landon Collins in tackles with 45, has five tackles for loss, two recovered fumbles, and has defensed three passes. He also had a highlight-reel, quick twitch interception Saturday against Texas A&M. And he actually caught his interception, unlike safeties Nick Perry and Collins who dropped seemingly easy opportunities. Ragland was even named as one of the defensive players of the week by the Alabama coaching staff after A&M.
But the first game of the season was difficult for Ragland. As a first-time starter and without the sturdy reliability of Trey DePriest, who was suspended, Ragland allowed some big plays against West Virginia, which he admits was humbling for him.
“It shows what I had to do to keep getting better as the year goes on,” Ragland said. “It showed me how to stay focused on the task and I just made sure I get everything to slow down for me. At first it was real fast, but everything’s starting to slow down and I can see it before it starts to come now.”
Slowing the game down to his speed was critical, and it was Collins, along with his coaches, who served as Ragland’s voice of reason, telling him to stay patient.
“I told him, ‘Once it slows down for you, you’re going to really ball,’” Collins said. “Now he’s flying around and making plays. I told him, ‘You’re going to be the same you were in high school, just keep doing what you’re doing. You’ll learn.’
“If you watch the stuff he’s been doing, he’s been tremendous for our defense, making third down stops and getting off the field.”
But it isn’t simply Ragland who has stepped up for Alabama’s defense. The unit as a whole is ranked third in the country in total defense, only allowing an average of 262 yards per game. Alabama’s secondary had a near-flawless game against Texas A&M.
“Defensively, this is the best we’ve played against this kind of offense,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Saturday. “I thought being physical and breaking on the ball really had an effect on the game.”
But receivers can’t catch the ball if the quarterback doesn’t have time to throw. The Crimson Tide’s defensive push started with its pass rush, which has been lethal this year, accounting for 19 sacks, already just three short of tying last year’s season total of 22.
“The pass rush is more explosive off the ball, and everybody is doing their job,” Ragland said. “It’s the will to want to. Everybody is willing and wanting to.”
The energy on Alabama’s defense was palpable Saturday, with the sidelines bouncing and the crowd pumping them up.
“Everybody was into it,” Ragland said. “The D-Linemen were very crunk and enthused and if we keep being enthused by everything we do, I think the sky’s the limit for us.”
As the Crimson Tide venture back out onto the road this weekend, Ragland and Alabama’s defense will be ready to continue slowing the game down, as well as opposing offenses.
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