For the NFL team that drafts former Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland, in addition to a ferocious hitter, they will be landing a budding chef.
After tipping the scales at 259 pounds at the Senior Bowl, Ragland started cooking his own meals. He dropped 12 pounds before the NFL scouting combine and weighed in at 248 pounds for Alabama’s Pro Day on Wednesday.
“I’m just really trying to keep a great diet,” Ragland said. “I cook most of my food. I bake most of my food. I eat a lot of asparagus, broccoli and carrots.”
Ragland also mixes in some chicken and fish with his veggies.
“I’m baking it,” Ragland said. “I’ve got to bake it or it will kill me. I’ve always been a good cook, thanks to my mom, but I’m getting better.”
The Falcons, who hold the 17th pick in the draft, were interested onlookers. In addition to area scout Anthony Robinson, the team’s linebackers coach, Jeff Ulbrich, was on hand to watch Ragland, who is considered one of the top linebackers in the draft, which is set for April 28-30.
Ragland only lifted 225 pounds 13 times on the bench press and didn’t run the 40-yard dash.
“Coach (Nick Saban) said I didn’t really need to (run the 40),” Ragland said. “I was going by what they told me. The less you can do, sometimes the better. I felt I didn’t need it, so I didn’t do it.”
What Ragland has to show teams is that he can play on third down in passing situations. SEC fans know that he can play against the run.
“Every play out there, I was bursting out there,” Ragland said. “I’m not going to take any plays off. I just wanted to keep being smooth and show them that I’ve got fluid hips.”
Ragland has private workouts set up with the Bills, Ravens, Jaguars and Vikings.
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, who was on hand, believes Ragland can play on third down in the NFL.
“But he’s a little different though,” Mayock said. “A lot of the league has fallen in love with some of the undersized, faster linebackers. But there is always a place for 247-pound guys who come downhill like that dude.”
Most teams were represented along with New England head coach Bill Belichick and Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano.
Alabama defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed are also considered first-round picks.
“I love them,” Mayock said. “They are both in my top five. This is the best interior defensive line class that I’ve ever seen. Both of those kids are going to play early and play often and play for 10 years.”
Reed has improved his draft status.
“Reed (went) to the Senior Bowl and every day, every snap, he worked his tail off,” Mayock said. “You don’t really have to worry about the ups and downs of the guys who come out of this process with Nick Saban.”
Reed said he has a meeting set with the New York Jets. He fought through his drills with Robinson and D.J. Pettway. Belichick at one point took over the drills and instructed the players.
“We push each other so hard each and every day working out and training,” Reed said. “We all just help each other.”
He had to take part in some awkward drills, including bending down to pick up tennis balls. Reed and Robinson have been training in Baton Rouge, La., with Pete Jenkins, a defensive line guru.
“I’ve just been working on my hands, quickness and explosion,” Reed said. “It was not just one thing, it was everything. We were trying to improve on every part of our games.”
Those hoping to see running back Kenyan Drake of Hillgrove High were disappointed. He suffered a hamstring injury recently. But Saban believes he’ll get his NFL shot.
“He’s a mismatch guy out of the backfield,” Saban said. “He can also go out and run routes like a receiver and he does have some potential as a running back, which is his natural position. … This is a guy who fits the style of play that you have right now. Bill Belichick and I were talking last night and about 60 to 65 percent of the plays are passes in the NFL right now. He’s certainly a guy that you can feature in an offense like that.”
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