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Primary in secondary

Miami safety Ed Reed leads the nation in interceptions, but it's his leadership that may be most valuable.

By MICHAEL SNYDER

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 6, 2001

CORAL GABLES -- Ed Reed expects to make big plays -- and score touchdowns often.

The fact the Miami free safety has become adept at both likely will make him millions in the NFL next fall, but he tries not to think of such things.

There's a little matter of a national championship to win first.

Reed and top-ranked Miami will try to take another step on that road when it faces Boston College at noon Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The Eagles (6-2) are likely to be a tougher test for an undefeated 'Canes squad that has yet to be pushed.

"That's the scary part," Reed said. "We haven't played our best ball yet. The secondary, we always talk about it. ... We stick with the best receivers every day in practice. We just need to come out and do it."

Reed, a leading candidate to win the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back, has done it each week, season after season. While much was made of quarterback Ken Dorsey becoming UM's all-time leader in touchdowns Saturday, Reed also marked a milestone.

Reed had his nation-leading seventh interception of the season, the 19th of his career, tying Bennie Blades for the school record.

The record, and the way it happened, didn't surprise Reed.

"I had told (safety) James Lewis that I was going out there on that series to get an interception," Reed said. "I feel like I've made some good accomplishments here, and that's another one. I'm honored to be in the (same) category with Bennie Blades.

"He was a great guy here who made a lot of plays."

Coach Larry Coker said Reed is the leader of the secondary. "He's the kind of guy you want to see compete and do well," Coker said.

Reed, a three-year starter, has been making a lot of plays himself. Last season, in addition to eight interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, Reed led the Big East Conference in pass breakups with 23.

As surprising as it might seem now, Reed was not highly recruited out of high school. He barely was a blip on the Division I radar. But UM receivers coach Curtis Johnson got a tip after developing a friendship with Reed's uncle, Otis, who played against Johnson in high school. After seeing Reed perform, Johnson didn't hesitate to recommend him to then-coach Butch Davis.

"I feel real confident around him," cornerback Phillip Buchanon said. "He's a leader, a coach on the field. He's the best player I've ever seen. When he's in, I know I'll be okay."

"He's only begun to show the depths of his talent," added fellow cornerback Markese Fitzgerald, a Dixie Hollins graduate. "There's nobody better."

Some are shocked by his quickness and strength. Others are shocked he still is in Coral Gables.

After Davis left to coach the Cleveland Browns in January, many thought Reed would join him in the NFL. But it didn't happen.

Reed, 23, said it was never in doubt. He wanted to play four years for UM and wanted his degree, which he earned in May.

Reed switched from strong safety, where he had played for three years, to free safety to replace the departed Al Blades, Bennie's younger brother.

"I wanted to be here," Reed said, "get my degree, win a national championship."

The Thorpe Award would be nice, too, but he said he would rather have a national title. The same with breaking the mark he now shares with Blades. Of course, those are things he never thought of when he first arrived at Miami, a shy kid from St. Rose, La.

"I just wanted to play ball," Reed said. "I wanted to be the best player I could be. If the records came with it, then so be it."

The 6-foot, 198-pound senior admits there are times he thinks about the NFL, about playing on football's biggest stage, about the money that will let him buy his parents a new house.

"I think about it sometimes, but it's always pushed to the side," he said. "I know I can play in the league, it's no big deal to me. I want to win and win here right now."

And as far as interception No. 20?

"It wouldn't really matter to me if I didn't get any more interceptions -- as long as we win."

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