With music bumping in the background and buckets filled with sand and rocks on each side of the barbell, Red Bank High School junior BJ Ragland began the first of two daily workouts in his backyard Wednesday morning.
One of the area's top college football recruits for the 2021 recruiting cycle, Ragland is among the many people who have been forced to make adjustments to their everyday lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ragland had hopes of being a state track and field champion this year in the shot put, and that goal remains as long as there is the possibility of the TSSAA's annual Spring Fling taking place. But with schools and gyms closed, the 6-foot-3, 285-pound standout student-athlete is using his unexpected extra time at home to improve on his core strength, flexibility and footwork.
"I am challenging myself to get 1% better every day," said Ragland, whose power and quickness have helped him provide massive blocks for the football Lions, who went 32-6 over the past three seasons and reached the Class 3A state quarterfinals last November.
"Sometimes you have to make something out of nothing," Ragland added. "The work you put in when no one is watching is what can really help you accomplish your dreams in the long run."
Ragland, who has a 6-foot-6 wingspan, first dunked a basketball in eighth grade. He bench presses more than 300 pounds. Colleges have taken notice of his combination of athletic skills, and he has helped himself in the recruiting process by carrying a 3.3 GPA in the classroom.
His first official scholarship offer came from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on March 6, and 13 more have followed. One of his most recent offers came Monday from the University of New Mexico, where linebacker Brian Urlacher starred before becoming a Chicago Bears legend and being inducted into the halls of fame for both college and pro football.
The Mocs have expressed interest in Ragland playing center, he said, while Navy has recruited him as a defensive lineman. Ragland is grateful to be a coveted asset and said he is comfortable playing any spot on either line.
"Every offer is a blessing," Ragland said after finishing footwork drills to conclude his morning workout, which he follows with squats in the afternoon. "To have the chance to go to college for free is amazing and something I am extremely thankful for. I want to keep pushing myself to new heights and open up as many opportunities as possible to better my future."
Ragland hopes to help the Lions win a state title as a senior this fall, when he is expected to again help pave the way for a running game that will center around Lumiere Strickland, who has offers from Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee State and UTC.
"Red Bank has helped guide me to where I am at right now," Ragland said. "(Position) coach (Chris) Payne has really been a big inspiration in my journey. What he has preached to me since day one is really coming true. I want people to remember that I always pushed myself to be the most dominant player and that I outworked the next person."
Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Baylor's Elijah Howard shakes a would-be tackler while returning a punt during a game at Brainerd on Aug. 24, 2019.Big bro helps Howard
Baylor School junior Elijah Howard would typically be on the track working on his explosiveness and quick reactions this time of year, but instead he has been prepping for his senior season of high school football and his future at Tennessee - he committed to the Volunteers last summer - with help from his brother and personal trainer Rex Howard.
The standout Red Raiders running back, who has been clocked at faster than 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, was a state Mr. Football finalist in Division II-AAA last year. He rushed for 1,422 yards and scored 22 touchdowns while averaging 8.3 yards per carry in 2019, his first season with the Red Raiders after transferring from Webb School of Knoxville.
"I am doing a lot of sprint work and pulling the sled to get my legs stronger," he said. "When we do our sprints, I might start on my knees and hop up and go to improve my reaction time. I am also eating lots of protein right now and hitting the weight room hard at home. Reverse lunges with weights have also helped me a lot in building powerful legs."
The 6-foot, 187-pound Howard's ability to change directions and quickly return to full speed is a major strength. With dreams of winning a state title in football before heading back home to Rocky Top, he is making the most of his extra down time.
"You have all the time in the world to perfect your craft and get bigger faster and stronger right now with all that is going on," Howard said. "I am taking time to learn the playbook more and break everything down so I can be a step ahead and be ready to go all out for my senior season."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.