Ragland with Bob Jones principal Robby Parker (File Photo/Lindsay Vaught)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

Crimson Tide linebacker and former Bob Jones standout Reggie Ragland was recently named a Dick Butkus award semifinalist for the 2014 season. The award goes to the nation’s top linebacker.

Ragland passed teammate Landon Collins as the team leader in tackles during the Tennessee game with 56. Starting opposite Trey DePriest, Ragland, a junior, is also a regular on special teams. His interception reserved a 59-0 shutout of Texas A&M Oct. 17.

Fourteen other players made the cut, including Jordan Jenkins and Ramik Wilson of Georgia and Tennessee’s A.J. Johnson. Ragland could become the fourth Crimson Tide player to receive the award with the most recent one going to C.J. Mosley, Ragland’s predecessor at the Will linebacker position.