NFL DRAFT: Reed says 'it's a waiting game' that has him nervous, excited

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 28, 2016 1:49 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

CHICAGO -- Jarran Reed could have entered the NFL draft last season.

But a question loomed.

Would he be satisfied as a second-round pick?

His mother and grandmother both agreed the sheepskin he so readily wanted to give up mattered more than any amount of cash he'd receive. Reed remained at the University of Alabama and helped lead the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff national championship.

One year undoubtly made a difference.

Reed's NFL stock sky rocketed -- overnight. Coaches and general managers set up meetings through his agent, Hadley Engelhard, to see Reed -- a 313-pound, mild-mannered giant who can easily demolish a quarterback as if he had just crushed an empty Coca-Cola drink can after he swallowed it in one gulp.

When the meetings started, Reed's life turned into a whirlwind.

He traveled across the country to work out for different teams. The hulking, humble kid from Goldsboro High did interviews with ESPN, ESPN Radio, NFL Network and participated in an ESPN Sports Science video that demonstrates just how strong and powerful he is on the football field.

Now a new question has arisen.

Who will select Reed in the first round during tonight's NFL Draft? The drama unfolds at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The second round is Friday and the final four rounds are scheduled for Saturday.

"I would be happy to go anywhere to an organization that really wants me, but I'll be fine wherever I go and will be ready to go to work," Reed said. "You never know what team likes you or who wants you the most because the team that likes you the most could want somebody else. And the team you think that likes you least could like you the most.

"It's a waiting game... really kind of nervous to see where I end up."

It's a historical moment, too.

The last first-round draft pick to come out of Wayne County was Eastern Wayne grad Manny Lawson, who was selected as the 22nd pick overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2006. Lawson stayed with SF through the 2010 season, spent two years in Cincinnati and joined the Buffalo Bills organization in 2013.

Reed remains in awe of his accomplishment.

He will pen another chapter in Goldsboro High's illustrious sports history that includes notable figures as far back as the World War I era who excelled in the pro ranks.

"It will hit me sooner or later," Reed said. "I want it to be looked at in a positive way back home."

Reed is the second defensive tackle listed among the top 16 behind Louisville senior Sheldon Rankins. Overall, there are just five DTs ranked in the top 30, including Reed's teammate -- junior A'Shawn Robinson.

Engelhard predicts Reed could go anywhere from No. 11 to No. 31 -- the next-to-the-last pick in the opening round reserved for 2016 Super Bowl runner-up Carolina. Chicago holds the 11th pick and Reed's favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are 25th in the draft order.

But the draft is a double-headed monster. A team can either draft for need or draft the best player on the board at the time no matter the position. Engelhard said some GMs look at a player's grade from the combine, which could create some parity.

Each team gets 10 minutes to submit their pick.

"I think there's going to be a lot of trades. So many things can happen...no way to pinpoint a team," Engelhard said. "I would say every team in the draft has Jarran as the No. 1- or No. 2-rated defensive tackle. I always tell every player to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I believe that in life and I preach that with the draft.

"Now the draft Gods take over."