Junior defensive lineman Rain Ragland Rain Ragland 6'1" | DL Lincoln Christian | 2027 State OK has been on the radar since the start of his freshman season. Last year, Ragland was one of seven sophomores to earn a spot on one of our three All State teams following the season. The Lincoln standout raised the bar on his dominance on the line of scrimmage. He finished the year with 11 sacks and was part of that Lincoln Christian front seven that we wrote about (what felt like) every other week in 2024. Ragland will look to elevate his game again this season and become one of the more disruptive defensive ends in the state. He also paved the way for Lincoln Christian’s running game as a devastating lead blocker at fullback. 

(2024 All State 3rd Team Selection)

Lincoln Christian defensive lineman Rain Ragland Rain Ragland 6'1" | DL Lincoln Christian | 2027 State OK has been a player that we’ve liked since very early on in his high school career. It was the second or third game of his freshman season that we caught in person and he’s been an absolute terror ever since. Ragland took his game up a level during his sophomore season, becoming one of the top pass rushers in Class 3A. The Lincoln Christian sophomore was a player that the Bulldog coaches were excited about early on in his career and he’s certainly lived up to the early hype. And when you look at Ragland’s sophomore season, it’s easy to be impressed. Ragland produced at a high level, helped lead Lincoln Christian to another state championship and he was one part of a front seven that was absolutely devastating against 3A competition. Ragland’s ceiling moving forward continues to get higher.

Lincoln Christian Rain Ragland Rain Ragland 6'1" | DL Lincoln Christian | 2027 State OK is part of the lead of a Lincoln Christian front seven that is definitely the best of the best in Class 3A and one of the better groups in the state overall. As just a sophomore, Ragland leads the team in sacks and is an absolute nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. Ragland was pointed out to us last season when he was just a freshman as being a guy that had a lot of potential. Right now, he looks like the definition of a “tweener” between defensive lineman and linebacker but wherever he ends up, we think he’s going to be incredibly productive. He continues to get better and better and has shown he can be an absolute game-wrecker.

It’s easy to get caught up and make bold predictions in the summer. But we don’t think it’s a stretch to suggest that Lincoln Christian sophomore Rain Ragland Rain Ragland 6'1" | DL Lincoln Christian | 2027 State OK could be the school’s best defender when it’s all said and done. Ragland has been starting for the Bulldogs since the start of his freshman year and he was a breakout player. He finished with over 50 tackles and a handful of sacks last season. And after watching the Bulldogs in person this spring, we were very impressed with his improvement as a player and his growth physically as it looked like he spent the offseason in the weight room. Simply put, Ragland will be a force for the next few years. 

Just like with Olds at Star Spencer, Lincoln Christian defensive lineman Rain Ragland Rain Ragland 6'1" | DL Lincoln Christian | 2027 State OK is a player where our opinion of him took a major leap after seeing him in person last month. Ragland just looks bigger than when we saw him last season. Last year, he looked like more of a linebacker, despite playing on the defensive line. This year, he looks like he belongs on the line of scrimmage. He might have added a few inches but it looks like he’s also been living in the weight room this offseason. Ragland was really good for the Bulldogs last year, as they captured the state title. And he’s already shown improvement so it’s exciting to think about his potential this fall.