Reggie Ragland Named Chuck Bednarik Finalist

Reggie Ragland is having a tremendous season: passing the eyeball test, graduating, being the leader of a 10-1 Crimson Tide team, and only raising his draft profile.

Add to that list "Chuck Bednarik" finalist. The award is given to "the defensive collegiate football player adjudged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States." Ragland has 85 total tackles (47 solo), 6.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks on a team with a very deep linebacking corps.

The other finalists are Tyler Matakevich from Temple and Penn State's Carl Nassib. Matakevich is college football's active career leader in tackles with 462, and is just the seventh player to register at least 100-plus tackles in four seasons. He also has 5 interceptions, which leads the nation for linebackers.

Carl Nassib is the feel-good candidate. The former-walk on and first-year starter leads the nation in sacks with 15.5 and helms a very salty PSU pass rush.

Roll Tide, Reggie.