4-star OT explains why two SEC teams lead the way in his recruitment
HOUSTON — There have been few dull moments in Grayson Reed’s recruitment, especially this spring.
The four-star offensive tackle out of Houston’s Cypress Creek High School has continued to pile up offers and make trips around the country.
The nation’s No. 29 offensive tackle in the Class of 2017 has made a host of visits, including trips to Texas A&M and Tennessee.
Not surprisingly, the nationally touted lineman is favoring the in-state Aggies and Vols early on as he continues to hammer out his top choices, particularly among SEC schools.
“It’s Tennessee and (Texas) A&M, then Auburn and Florida,” Reed told SEC Country Sunday at Nike’s “The Opening” regional event in Houston.
“Every day, Tennessee is hitting me up, multiple times a day. They really want me, and it’s between them and A&M for that No. 1 spot.”
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Texan attended Tennessee’s Junior Day event in early March in what Reed described as a unique experience.
The Vols’ coaches made a lasting impression on the state of Texas’ No. 32 player, who they envision starting his career off at tackle.
“It’s something different. I’ve never seen a place like Tennessee,” Reed said of the visit to Knoxville, Tenn. “It was real fun. (Defensive line) coach (Steve) Stripling is real cool and (offensive line) coach (Don) Mahoney — he’s awesome. It was fun to be in Tennessee. They want to start me off at tackle, and if I do well I’d stay there, but if I hit trouble I could move inside.”
Reed also made a pit-stop at Texas A&M last month, where he met with Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin.
Unlike Tennessee, the Aggies are courting Reed as an interior offensive lineman, which is not a big deal for the prized national recruit.
“They told me guard, and I’m with that,” Reed said. “I’m sure I’ll play guard since I’m starting to thicken up a bit. … I sat down (with Coach Sumlin) and he said every time he sees me I have a big smile on my face, so let’s go ahead and do it. They seem like they want me real bad.
“(Offensive line) coach (Jim) Turner is an awesome guy and a good coach, too. And Texas A&M is only an hour and a half away from my house, so I can go and hang out with them, so that’s awesome.”
Proximity to home is not a major factor for Reed, who is also considering making a visit to Florida in the near future.
The Gators’ coaches have tried to get Reed to The Swamp for some time, and given the team’s need for linemen up front, the Texas native is considering making it happen.
“The offensive line coach hits me up a lot to ask how my family is doing and how the offseason is going, so I have a good relationship with them,” Reed said. “I know they need some linemen. They’re hungry for linemen, and I’d like to go to a school that needs linemen so I can play early. That’s the one thing I like. Plus, it’s The Swamp, and I’ve heard some good things.”
In addition to early playing time, Reed is putting a strong emphasis on education, where the colleges are located and the head coach’s job security.
For that, Tennessee and Texas A&M have certainly separated themselves early on.
“I just want to go to school that makes me better,” Reed said. “Every school offers the same, good education anywhere you go. But I don’t want to be bored out of my mind when I’m not playing football, so I want to go to a school that has a good community around the college.
“I don’t want to go to a school where the coach might get fired every week. I don’t want to play for five different head coaches. I want that one coach there the whole time.”
