Cedric Reed Makes 20 for Texas
CLEVELAND, Tex. -- The question of where Cleveland defensive end Cedric Reed would wind up
making his college home has been a question on the minds of many, particularly
Texas Longhorn fans, for several weeks. Reed answered that question on Friday and took his place among a star-studded Longhorn recruiting class.
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Reed, the No. 15 ranked prospect in the Inside Texas 2011 Top 100, committed to Texas in a press conference at his high school becoming commit No. 20 in what is shaping up to be another impressive recruiting haul for Mack Brown and the Longhorns. "I am excited to become a part of the Texas Longhorns family," Reed said. "The opportunity to play for a national championship and the relationships that I've built with head coach Mack Brown and recruiting coach Oscar Giles played a key role in my decision." Making the announcement today to honor his late mother’s birthday, Reed picked the Longhorns over Texas A&M in what became a highly-contested recruiting battle for arguably the top defensive end prospect in Texas. Alabama, LSU, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Oklahoma were among the other schools to extend an offer Reed’s way during the recruiting process. Despite having an impressive offer list, Reed’s recruitment ultimately boiled down to an in-state decision between the Longhorns and Aggies. Reed made multiple visits over the past few months to both campuses with his last visit to Austin and College Station being for each school's spring game. The visits were becoming somewhat routine for Reed at one point, but after making visits in consecutive weekends to Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, Reed said the Longhorns were starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. “Texas separates itself from everyone else,” Reed said. “It was really something to go down there and get that offer. That’s why that visit has helped (Texas) separate itself.” While many recruits look at many different factors when picking a school, Reed made it very clear that the relationships he would establish at a particular school would be the biggest aspect of his recruitment. “The first thing is how I bond with the coaches,” Reed said. “The trust with a coaching staff is big. How I bond with the coaches is really the No. 1 thing I’m looking for.” That certainly proved to be a huge selling point for Texas in the end. After making a visit in March to the Texas campus, Reed talked about what stood out on his trip, which included getting to further his relationships with Texas assistant coaches Major Applewhite and Oscar Giles. Applewhite and Giles recruited Reed for the Longhorns and helped reel in the ESPNU 150 prospect. “They’ve got great coaches and great facilities – their facilities are top of the line,” Reed said. “Coach Giles, he’s a good man. Coach Applewhite, my area recruiter, I like him too. Texas is also a place where you can get a good education.” Reed will now have a chance to get that good education and experience the facilities and campus setting on a daily basis with his commitment to Texas. The Longhorns will bring in Reed as a defensive end and he brings a tremendous amount of athletic ability and upside to the defensive end position. Reed has played as an end in a 4-3 scheme and will start his Texas career in that role. He could also play end in three-man line, wind up playing some tackle as a three-technique pass rusher, or possibly even tight end if necessary. As a junior Reed earned his second straight All-District selection for the Class 3A Indians recording 88 tackles and 11 sacks. He also averaged around 20 points and 10 rebounds per contest as a starter on Cleveland’s basketball team. A three-year varsity starter in both sports, Reed brings a tremendous amount of prep accolades and athletic talent to the 40 Acres as the newest Texas Longhorn commit for the class of 2011.
Reed, the No. 15 ranked prospect in the Inside Texas 2011 Top 100, committed to Texas in a press conference at his high school becoming commit No. 20 in what is shaping up to be another impressive recruiting haul for Mack Brown and the Longhorns. "I am excited to become a part of the Texas Longhorns family," Reed said. "The opportunity to play for a national championship and the relationships that I've built with head coach Mack Brown and recruiting coach Oscar Giles played a key role in my decision." Making the announcement today to honor his late mother’s birthday, Reed picked the Longhorns over Texas A&M in what became a highly-contested recruiting battle for arguably the top defensive end prospect in Texas. Alabama, LSU, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Oklahoma were among the other schools to extend an offer Reed’s way during the recruiting process. Despite having an impressive offer list, Reed’s recruitment ultimately boiled down to an in-state decision between the Longhorns and Aggies. Reed made multiple visits over the past few months to both campuses with his last visit to Austin and College Station being for each school's spring game. The visits were becoming somewhat routine for Reed at one point, but after making visits in consecutive weekends to Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, Reed said the Longhorns were starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. “Texas separates itself from everyone else,” Reed said. “It was really something to go down there and get that offer. That’s why that visit has helped (Texas) separate itself.” While many recruits look at many different factors when picking a school, Reed made it very clear that the relationships he would establish at a particular school would be the biggest aspect of his recruitment. “The first thing is how I bond with the coaches,” Reed said. “The trust with a coaching staff is big. How I bond with the coaches is really the No. 1 thing I’m looking for.” That certainly proved to be a huge selling point for Texas in the end. After making a visit in March to the Texas campus, Reed talked about what stood out on his trip, which included getting to further his relationships with Texas assistant coaches Major Applewhite and Oscar Giles. Applewhite and Giles recruited Reed for the Longhorns and helped reel in the ESPNU 150 prospect. “They’ve got great coaches and great facilities – their facilities are top of the line,” Reed said. “Coach Giles, he’s a good man. Coach Applewhite, my area recruiter, I like him too. Texas is also a place where you can get a good education.” Reed will now have a chance to get that good education and experience the facilities and campus setting on a daily basis with his commitment to Texas. The Longhorns will bring in Reed as a defensive end and he brings a tremendous amount of athletic ability and upside to the defensive end position. Reed has played as an end in a 4-3 scheme and will start his Texas career in that role. He could also play end in three-man line, wind up playing some tackle as a three-technique pass rusher, or possibly even tight end if necessary. As a junior Reed earned his second straight All-District selection for the Class 3A Indians recording 88 tackles and 11 sacks. He also averaged around 20 points and 10 rebounds per contest as a starter on Cleveland’s basketball team. A three-year varsity starter in both sports, Reed brings a tremendous amount of prep accolades and athletic talent to the 40 Acres as the newest Texas Longhorn commit for the class of 2011.
