Former Alabama LB Reggie Ragland spent his rookie season on injured reserve for the Buffalo Bills after tearing his ACL before the year started.

Because of that, he was available to serve as Alabama’s honorary captain at Saturday’s Peach Bowl, where he watched Reuben Foster, who took over Ragland’s spot as the leader of the Crimson Tide linebacking corps, dominate the Washington Huskies.

After the 24-7 win, Ragland told AL.com he thinks Foster is playing better this year than he did in 2015:

“I’m proud of him. He’s doing it bigger and better than I did,” Ragland said. “Everything that I wanted him to do, he’s doing it so I’m very proud of him. I told him before I left last year, step in the position and do better than me and all the guys that came before me. That’s what he’s doing.”

Ragland was the leader of the Crimson Tide defense last season, but said Foster has filled his shoes admirably in 2016:

“You can tell he’s watching film more,” Ragland said. “He’s more of a leader and the guys listen to him. Guys aren’t going to listen to someone who doesn’t put the work in on the field and that’s what he’s doing. He’s leading by example. If he needs to say something, he says it.”

It’s a safe bet that Ragland will be on hand in Tampa to watch Monday night’s national championship game against Clemson. If Foster has another big game, he’ll have a chance at being a first-round pick in the NFL draft, which once again would best his predecessor Ragland, who was a second-round selection.