The Kansas City Chiefs announced the acquisition of linebacker Reggie Ragland from the Buffalo Bills on Monday afternoon.
Here are five things to know about the newest Chief:
1. Ragland was a second-round pick in the 2016 Draft
Drafted by the Bills in the second round (No. 41 overall) out of the University of Alabama, Ragland was the third linebacker selected in the 2016 Draft. Buffalo traded up to select Ragland, trading the No. 49 and No. 117 overall picks to Chicago in order to select him.
He was ranked as the second-best linebacker in the draft according to NFL.com, and was named as a player to watch by Chiefs Reporter B.J. Kissel prior to the draft.
Here's some highlights from Ragland's time at Alabama:
2. Ragland missed all of last season with a torn ACL
While in training camp with the Bills, Ragland tore his ACL on Aug. 5 and was subsequently placed on Injured Reserve on Aug. 30, ending his season.
3. Ragland was a two-time national champion and an SEC Defensive Player of the Year
A four-year player at the University of Alabama, Ragland was part of the 2012 and 2015 national championship teams.
As a senior in 2015, Ragland led the team in tackles (97) and tackles-for-loss (6.5), earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in addition to being named a consensus All-American.
Here's more from NFL.com prior to the draft:
Ragland was the third Alabama player to earn unanimous All-American notice, joining Cornelius Bennett and Derrick Thomas. Ragland could have left for the NFL last year, but decided to come back to win a championship, get his degree, and continue his work in the community.
Ragland was a semifinalist for the Bednarik, Butkus and Lombardi awards following the season.
4. Ragland was also recognized for his work off the field while in school
Ragland was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, which honors student-athletes who make an impact on and off the field. The award is based in Overland Park, Kan.
Ragland chose to forgo the NFL Draft and returned for his senior season to complete his degree in consumer affairs. Looking to fulfill a promise he made to his mother that he would earn his degree while at the University of Alabama, Ragland is scheduled to graduate this December in three and a half years. Not only a leader on the field, he is a member of the Crimson Tide's senior leadership council, setting an example for underclassmen on how a student-athlete should carry himself at the University, on and off the field.
Perhaps his biggest contribution while in Tuscaloosa has been his dedication to volunteering in the community each of the last four years. Ragland put together an impressive list of volunteering opportunities and has gone above and beyond what is asked of Alabama student-athletes during his time with the Tide. In all, he has totaled 50-plus hours of community service across double-digit volunteer opportunities that include visits to hospitals, schools and churches.
5. Ragland was highly recruited out of high school
A native of Madison, Ala., Ragland was ranked as the top inside linebacker in the country and the No. 2 overall linebacker coming out of high school in 2012. He eventually committed to the University of Alabama.
Chiefs' rookie linebacker and now teammate Ukeme Eligwe was the No. 3 overall linebacker in that class.
