In The Spotlight: Gators tight end Jordan Reed
Monday, August 22, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – About an hour after Saturday's scrimmage ended inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, first-year Gators coach Will Muschamp spoke to group of former Florida letterwinners and their families.
At the end of his speech Muschamp took questions, including one about redshirt tight end Jordan Reed. With a background defined by defense, Muschamp summed up Reed in three words for the crowd of more than 600.
“A matchup nightmare,'' he said.
With the Sept. 3 season opener against Florida Atlantic less than two weeks ago, Reed has earned the trust and praise of the new coaching staff. The Gators who played with Reed a year ago already knew the wide range of skills that No. 11 offers.
“Jordan Reed is probably one of our best athletes on the team,'' quarterback John Brantley said. “Having him at tight end creates mismatches on linebackers, and we're excited about that.''
The Gators had high hopes for Reed a year ago in camp, too, but a knee injury slowed his progress as he hobbled through the early portion of the season. By the time he was healthy and ready to contribute, the Gators tossed him onto the field at tight end and quarterback.
Growing up in Connecticut, the 6-foot-3, 239-pound Reed played baseball. He didn't take up football until high school, starting at quarterback for three seasons at New London High, the same school where his older brother David, a second-year receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, set numerous school records.
Reed's combination of size and speed provides offensive coordinator Charlie Weis a very attractive weapon in Florida's pro-style offense.
Reed has not disappointed in fall camp.
“He made a really nice catch in the end-of-game situation [Saturday] to get us down close to have a shot at the end zone,'' Muschamp said. “He went up over two guys. He's a guy we are very excited about out. I think he is a really good tight end.''
Reed caught only six passes for 79 yards and one touchdown in 2010. He often lined up at quarterback or took snaps in the wildcat formation, playing more of a role as the passer than the catcher. Reed completed 26 of 46 passes for 252 yards and rushed for 328 yards, providing the Gators a big option in short-yardage situations.
In Florida's win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl, Reed led the team with 68 yards rushing and was 8-for-13 for 60 yards passing.
But with Weis installing a new offense and Brantley a good fit at starting quarterback, Reed's athleticism provides the Gators with the kind of potential playmaker they had at tight end when Aaron Hernandez was around.
Reed and Hernandez, who also is from Connecticut and now with the New England Patriots, talk regularly according to Reed. Reed has also studied plenty of film of Weis' days at Notre Dame and last year in the NFL with Kansas City.
The tight end has always played a prominent role in Weis' offense.
“I'm excited by that,'' Reed said. “I know that I will get a chance to make some plays and help the team in this offense, and that's all you can ask for.''
Muschamp has seen enough in camp to expect Reed to play a major role. The Gators even took a look at Reed returning punts last week. He may never actually return one in a game, but Muschamp said he feels comfortable if he had to put Reed back there.
“We're talking about a guy his size catching it and getting vertical on a gunner is pretty exciting,'' Muschamp said. “We put him back there and feel comfortable about it. He has great ball judgment and catches the ball extremely well. As we progress through, we'll see how much he can do with this.''
As for his role at tight end, Muschamp has seen enough. Reed is the kind of player that used to give him headaches as a defensive coordinator.
“I think that he's continued to progress a better understanding of the offense,'' Muschamp said. “We've centered some things around him to get him the football. Our whole theme is to get the ball in the playmakers' hands, and he's certainly one of them.
“I'm very pleased with his development to this point.''
