JARRAN REED: He and Alabama teammates have some unfinished business

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on January 1, 2016 1:48 PM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jarran Reed could have easily declared for the NFL draft after a stellar junior campaign at the University of Alabama.

Pro scouts salivated over the 300-pound physical lineman who can clog any hole or open up a sizable gap for a running back. He was on every team's radar and was ranked among the nation's top early entries.

There was just one problem.

Reed wants a ring.

He helped lead East Mississippi Community College to a national JUCO championship before he signed with the Crimson Tide. And after last year's loss to eventual national champion Ohio State in the semifinals of the inaugural College Football Playoff, the Goldsboro native -- and his teammates -- agreed they had some unfinished business to complete this season.

"We were really down," Reed said of the Ohio State loss.

"We felt really bad because we knew what kind of team we were and the game we played wasn't our best game. So we knew going into the offseason we had to work hard, everybody had to really focus and buy into this program."

Nearly one later, Alabama is back in the same spot.

The No. 2 Crimson Tide (12-1 overall) face No. 3 Michigan State (12-1) in the Cotton Bowl Classic tonight. Earlier in the day, No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Clemson (13-0) opposes No. 4 Oklahoma (11-1) in the Orange Bowl.

The winners meet Jan. 11.

Alabama is seeking its fourth national title during Nick Saban's nine-year tenure in Tuscaloosa. Reed and his teammates appear more focused this season and haven't forgotten letting a 15-point lead slip away against the Buckeyes last season.

The Crimson Tide defense rolls an 11-man rotation of potential NFL prospects at opposing offenses. Alabama ranks first nationally in run defense (74 yards per game) and yards per carry (2.38), and ended up third in scoring defense (14.4 points per game).

Spartan quarterback Connor Cook presents a challenge for Alabama. The senior has guided Michigan State to 34 wins during his career that include two Big Ten championships and a Rose Bowl crown.

He calmly directed a 22-play, game-winning drive against Iowa in the Big Ten title game earlier this month.

"What they do offensively, they're very good and they have an NFL-type quarterback. They're a physical team (and) we respect every team and everybody's game," said the versatile Reed, who can play on the line and at defensive end.

"We all just really have to play for each other ... execute every play and not make many mistakes. (During the season) we would bend, but never break. We just concentrated on each play."

Alabama's defense led the SEC in quarterback sacks (46) and forced 24 turnovers -- one less than league leader Florida. The Crimson Tide rank No. 2 nationally in total defense (258.2 ypg).

Reed has been the backbone of that defense with 53 stops, including 4 1/2 hits behind the line of scrimmage. He was voted the defensive player-of-the-game on six occasions by the Alabama coaching staff this season.

Still a down-to-earth and humble individual, Reed worked to get in better shape during the offseason, assumed a leadership role on the team and helped stress discipline -- in practice and on game day. He said every teammate did their part this season and that mentality will be paramount against the Spartans.

"Yes, we can win the national championship," Reed said with confidence. "We just have to play our game ... keep playing for each other every play on offense and on defense. We just need to eliminate the little things (that can hurt us)."