Auburn Football: Scouting the Alabama Defense and Special Teams for the 2014 Iron Bowl

Oct 18, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) is congratulated by teammates after he intercepted a pass from Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kenny Hill (not shown) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 59-0. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers

Weak side linebacker Reggie Ragland leads the Alabama defense with 83 total tackles. He has 8.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks an interception, three pass breakups, one force fumble and a fumble recovery this season.

Ragland has gotten better as the season has progressed. One of his best games came against top ranked Mississippi State, in which the junior had ten tackles against the Bulldogs. He also had 13 tackles and a TFL against LSU.

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As good as he’s been, Ragland may not be the best Alabama linebacker. Strong side outside linebacker Xzavier Dickson has seven sacks this season, which is the most on the team and ranks in the top ten in the SEC. Dickson has 33 tackles, 9.5 TFLs and five QB hurries in his senior season.

Ryan Anderson backs up both Ragland and Dickson. He has 22 tackles, six TFLs, three sacks this season and is tied for the team lead with six QB hurries.

Not to be forgotten, Trey DePriest is the most experienced member of the Alabama defense, and he’s one of the best middle linebackers in the SEC. DePriest has started 36 of the 50 games he’s played as a member of the Crimson Tide. This season, he ranks third with 64 tackles and has three tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a safety.

Auburn, AL native Reuben Foster is the backup at the Mike linebacker position and is also a star performer on special teams. Evans has 13 tackles, two TFLs, and a sack this season.

Next: Alabama Defensive Backs