SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Reggie Ragland stands out on Alabama’s defense when the spotlight’s on.
He’s usually the one smiling. The All-America linebacker is the guy cracking jokes and reciting lines from his favorite movies at practice, the happy-go-lucky star on a team that often seems to mirror coach Nick Saban’s sternly stoic, all-business demeanor.
Ragland is the (smiling) face of the Crimson Tide’s defense going into Monday night’s national championship game against Clemson.
“I’m enjoying this moment and opportunity that I get,” he said. “Not a lot of people get this experience. So why not have fun with it?”
Most teammates and coaches looked all business when they stepped into a packed room for campus media day last week. Not Ragland, who burst through the door with a wide grin and a “How y’all doing?”