Red Bank High School football coach Chris Brown has no doubt the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is getting a star in lineman BJ Ragland – on and off the field.
As a standout on both offense and defense, the 6-foot-3, 285-pound Ragland helped pave the way for the Lions’ success the past three seasons. He is gifted with unique athleticism for his size – he can dunk a basketball – and has exceptional footwork to go with speed, strength and the ability to change direction quickly.
As he made an official commitment to another level of competition Wednesday, the beginning of the three-day early signing period for college football, Ragland took a moment to look at the steps that took him to that point.
“Hard work, my parents, coaches, teammates and God. That’s what got me here,” said Ragland, who celebrated signing with the Charlotte 49ers in front of friends and family at Brainerd United Methodist Church.
“Your character and work ethic is important because seeing somebody off the field and how they work, act and move translates to how they play on the field and how they are as a person. You have to be disciplined and keep pushing to be the best you can be in all areas.”