Inside linebacker Reggie Ragland was one of six Alabama players to request feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Committee in December, mulling whether to forgo his senior season and declare for this year's NFL draft before ultimately deciding to stay in school.
A first-team All-SEC selection as a junior last year, Ragland made that decision despite receiving a second-round grade from the Draft Advisory Committee, he said Wednesday at SEC Media Days.
"I wanted to come back for my education, really, so that I could have something to fall back on because my football career is not going to last forever, and I've got something that I can do," Ragland said. "I'm good with people. I like working around people. And that's something that's big for me is getting my education and really just giving [the degree] to my mom."
CBS Sports ranks Ragland as the top draft prospect among senior inside linebackers.
A former top recruit, the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Madison native is Alabama's top returning tackler.
Ragland was second on Alabama last year -- his first as a starter -- with 95 tackles while also posting 10.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a team-high three fumble recoveries.
Ragland was the recipient of the Tide's Woodrow Lowe Linebacker Award this spring, given to the linebacker deemed by coaches to have performed the best during Alabama's spring practice.
"I'm probably," Ragland said, "more of a leader and more mature as a player this year."