A two-year starter for Alabama, Jarran Reed is using his week at the Senior Bowl to try to expand his overall game before being selected in the NFL Draft.
Before transferring to the University of Alabama to play his remaining two years with the Crimson Tide, defensive lineman Jarran Reed spent his first two years out of the spotlight at East Mississippi Community College.
And like his time at East Mississippi where he played in front of small crowds, Reed has been impressing a concentrated crowd of NFL scouts at this week's Senior Bowl practices at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
So far through two days, Reed is seeing the benefit of accepting his bid to this year's Senior Bowl.
"I feel like I improved in every aspect of the game. It was a regular practice yesterday, and a great practice today and I feel like I really improved today," Reed told Redskins.com on Wednesday. "That's the main key, to improve every day."
Reed improved during his two seasons at Alabama, as he recorded 57 tackles (4.5 tackle for loss) during a National Championship-winning season along with a forced fumble and a sack.
But even though he's put more than enough on film to possibly merit first-round picks status (a few mock drafts have linked Reed to the Redskins' in the first-round), Reed understands that standing out alongside fellow senior talent could go a long way.
"It's real important [to be here], because it's the best of the best out here and these guys are real good and it's going to be the same thing at the next level," Reed said. "You know, just come in here and get all the coaching I can and learn, whether the offensive linemen tell me something I'm doing wrong or the defensive lineman will come tell me something to do better, just learning from everybody I can. Just improve my game in all aspects."
While Reed is officially listed as a defensive tackle, the Goldsboro, N.C., native believes he can play almost any position along the defensive line.
Check out images of defensive lineman Jarran Reed during his collegiate career at Alabama.
"Versatility along the defensive line," Reed said in response to what his biggest strength is. "You know, and I'm improving in my pass rush game to be able to move anywhere along the defensive line."
Reed is participating on a talent-laden defensive line for the South Team, also featuring Baylor's Shawn Oakman along with Louisville's Sheldon Rankins, Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence (a former Ohio State Buckeye) and Clemson's D.J. Reader.
While his hope is that everyone in the group has raised their stock during this week's practices, Reed wants to build off each day before hearing his name called later this year in the draft.
"Just improve every aspect of my game each and every day, that's my main focus,"
.
.
.
