Ragland became the sixth former University of Alabama Football player and the fourth former NFL player to join Cochran at West Alabama in 2025.
Ragland, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, is set to make his coaching debut, after anchoring the Crimson Tide's Linebacker room for four years which led to a six-year NFL career.
At Alabama, Ragland made an immediate impact on the Crimson Tide's 2012 National Championship team, playing in 10 games as a true freshman. In 2013, the Linebacker served as a rotation piece for Head Coach Nick Saban and Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart, before breaking into the starting lineup in 2014. In his first year as a starter, Ragland recorded 93 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble from his Linebacker position, leading the Crimson Tide to a SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. The Huntsville native builded off his 2014 campaign as he put together a career-year in 2015. Ragland registered 102 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and seven pass deflections, which led to the Linebacker being named a First Team All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
After a remarkable career at Alabama that included a pair of National Championships in 2013 and 2016, Ragland was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Over the course of his six-year NFL career, Ragland played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Cleveland Browns. The Linebacker's pro career was highlighted by his stint with the Chiefs where he started at the Inside Linebacker position for three years. In his three-year run with the Chiefs, Ragland recorded 160 tackles and 10 tackles for loss, before ending his career in 2022 with a total of 293 tackles and 16 tackles for loss.
With his playing career now in the rear view mirror, Ragland is set to begin his coaching career as he assumes the role of Director of Player Personnel for Cochran and West Alabama.
