For the second year in a row, Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland has been recognized as one of the country's top players at his position. The senior is one of 10 semifinalists for the 2015 Butkus Award.

The award narrowed its list down on Monday and Alabama's leader in tackles made the cut. Ragland has anchored a Crimson Tide defense that ranks first in the SEC and fourth nationally in total defense. His 71 total tackles (8.88 per game) ranks sixth overall in the conference.

Five of the ten semifinalists hail from the SEC, and Alabama will face two of them on Saturday: LSU's Kendall Beckwith and Deion Jones.

Ragland enjoyed a break out season in 2014 where he took over a starting role and went on to lead all linebackers with 93 total tackles. That performance earned him semifinalist honors for the Butkus Award.

If Ragland can win the award in his final season, he'll join C.J. Mosley, Rolando McClain, and Derrick Thomas as winners from The University of Alabama. That award will be presented on December 10 at the College Football Hall of Fame.

 

More From 92.9 WTUG