FEATURE: Reed's journey to NFL long, but prosperous

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 26, 2017 7:11 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Jarran Reed took an untraditional road to the NFL.

Mom, Anjanette, provided tough love all the while.

Despite the pothole-filled road -- along which Reed received an education in perseverance -- doors eventually opened.

Through that hard work, the hulking lineman bolstered his grades at Hargrave Military Academy enough to earn acceptance to East Mississippi Community College where helped his team claim a JUCO national championship.

A dream that was no longer a fantasy had come true for Reed, who nearly let the chance to play for Nick Saban slip from his grasp. He was arrested and charged with a DUI in July 2014.

A childish mistake.

Mom, again, delivered another dose of tough love.

"She most definitely stayed on me," Reed said. "You have to see things through when you're going through hard times. I stuck with it. Mom helped me be tough (and) I'm beyond grateful for that opportunity."

Reed almost entered the NFL draft after his junior campaign, but remained and helped lead the Crimson Tide to the inaugural College Football Playoff Title in 2015.

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Reed's NFL stock climbed significantly.

He emerged as a primary defender who could absorb blockers, change directions, accelerate to the ball and obliterate an opponent. But while Reed displayed lower body strength, pro scouts questioned his timing and instincts.

Those doubts vanished during the Senior Bowl.

The Seattle Seahawks-- which had nine draft picks -- thought it had found one piece to its puzzle. Seahawk management faced salary cap constrictions with quarterback Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman. Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane and pass rusher Bruce Irvin each filed for free agency.

General manager John Schneider traded up seven spots and a gave-up a fourth-round pick to Chicago, and selected Reed as the 49th pick overall.

"It was a long wait, but it was worth it," Reed said during a SiriusXM NFL Radio network interview after the pick. "I'm happy to be part of the Seattle Seahawks organization. The road wasn't easy ... it was hard work every day."

Reed felt as though he never left Tuscaloosa.

He described the similarities in philosophy of Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban as uncanny. Plus, he sang the praises of defensive line coach, Dwaine Board.

Last season, Reed recorded 34 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks -- including a half sack against New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

"He likes to talk about that," Anjanette laughed. Her tough love has given way these days to pure joy.

Seattle's defense ranked among the top eight in passing yards allowed (213.81), rushing yards allowed (89.06) and total yards allowed (302.88) a year ago.

A confident Reed says the Seahawks can be better this season. He's a little more svelte now than in his rookie season; his body frame is more toned due to changes in diet and workout regimen.

"You know when you're from the South, you love that good food," he grinned. "You have to eat the right things, work extra hard to stay fit and be in the shape that I need to be in especially, with the way the game is played today.

"I have to learn to be a pro ... work ethics, responsibilities ... my all-around game that I'm trying to fix. Your name is out there and you want to protect your name, so you've got to do whatever you can."

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Reed returned home to Goldsboro on Saturday.

He hosted a football camp that drew 150 kids who spent the sun-splashed day peddling backwards and running forward around cones, knocking down tackling dummies, testing their speed at the snap of the ball and catching a tight-spiraled pigskin on occasion.

Surprisingly, they still had energy to spare when the four-hour clinic drew to a close. Reed signed autographs on T-shirts, cleats, footballs -- anything a youngster handed him.

And he shared his story.

Reed stressed the importance of getting an education and making the most out of one's life.

"Now he sees the importance of it," said Anjanette, as she carried her granddaughter, Jaycey, on her hip and kept a watchful eye on her grandson, Karter.Her "tough love" has turned to pride for her son, who she says now more than ever knows what his role needs to be both in life and on the field.

"Not only being a father, but seeing how important it is for kids in this area to better themselves educationally, and hopefully that will lead to financial success," she said. "He notices now, so all of my hard work didn't go in vain."