Interview: Smooth 7-Offer 2023 Memphis QB Braylen Ragland Ready to Showcase Skills at Top Camps
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When Braylen Ragland took the field during the 2019 season with Briarcrest, he did not look like a freshman gunslinger. The 6-2, 185-pound, field general looked like a cool, calm, and collected veteran leader who had been through the trench battles for years. With a fluid throwing motion and an effortless delivery on a live arm, Ragland has that sixth sense of pocket pressure and the mobility to move around and escape all while keeping his eyes downfield looking for the open receiver. Those skills have been improved upon since we last saw him as a freshman with Memphis area squads missing their 2020 season. But that break in the action has not stopped college programs from offering the new addition to White Station High School’s roster.
Taking his first visit to the RNG Clubhouse, Ragland takes us inside his offseason workouts and upcoming camp schedule.
Interview
Braylen, it is a lot of fun watching game film on you. You have a very natural throwing motion that is smooth with a great arm. Is the arm strength and the throwing motion from years of QB training or is that an instinctual thing for you?
I have been trying to perfect this for years. A few months ago, I got it down. The freshman film that I have on Hudl, I am five times better than that now. It has been a long process, I have a ways to go, but a lot of work put into it.
During the 2019 season, what offensive scheme were you running?
We were a Spread. I have transferred since then, but we had some players that year. Our running back then, Jabari Small, is at Tennessee now… the whole team was stacked. We had great receivers in Reginald Neely and Will Robertson. That season was a good learning experience for me.
What were some of the coverages you were seeing then?
Down here you get Cover 4, that is the primary, and you may get a sprinkle of Cover 2. At Briarcrest we ran some Cover 2 and some Cover 6 but the majority of coverages were Cover 4.
Watching you go through your progressions while keeping aware of the pressure around you with the footwork, during the 2019 season you were competing at a level far above a freshman. Since that last full season in pads what have you been working on with your game?
My knowledge of football; I want to know what the defense is doing at all times and one day I hope to call the plays. My throwing motion is something I keep working on. Now that I have transferred, I am getting connected with my teammates and building chemistry with my receivers.
Throughout the offseason what have you been doing to increase your knowledge of the game?
It is so funny, even during my freshman year, the first few weeks when they added me to Hudl I watched 40 hours of film that first week. Film is a huge part of what I do to learn more about the game. My trainers and I talk defenses and pass protections all the time.
Are you playing 7v7 this spring?
I am, with Pro Process Academy (PPA). We just won a championship in New Orleans.
Nice. How is the 7v7 season going for you?
It has been great. I played last year; this is my second year playing 18u. There is a huge jump in my game. All our players have a D-I offer. Our coaches care a lot about us and they take care of us. We have one of our last tournaments in Las Vegas coming up.
What do you now feel are the strengths to your game?
Right now, with 7v7, I am working on my reads, getting the ball out fast, and taking care of the ball. I am also working on situational football, when to take shots and when to do my check downs. For me, I am working on being smart with the ball, limiting turnovers and keeping the ball alive to keep drives going. To answer your question, situational football
Are there any camps that you’ve been to this offseason already and/or any coming up you may attend?
I have an Under Armour camp coming up in a couple of weeks, after that the tournament in Vegas, and then the Elite 11. I am trying to decide which college camps I will go to this summer.
Being an underclassman you may not fully know the answer to this, but which programs are showing interest?
Florida State has been on me tough. I try to talk to them every week.
How many offers have been given to you?
Five.
Which program was the last to offer?
Jackson State offered two weeks ago.
Ragland’s Offer Sheet: Auburn, Austin Peay, Campbell, Jackson State, and Tennessee
This summer, when visits are allowed again, are there any schools you’d like to go see?
Florida State, of course, and I think we are going to a Michigan camp. I know I am going to an Arkansas and Texas A&M camp.
Braylen, I enjoyed going over the offense and offseason workouts with you. Wishing you and PPA success in Las Vegas.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Ragland family; Braylen Ragland
Photo credit: Amarie Ashley/Ragland family; Braylen Ragland