Video: Every Ed Reed interception at Miami
A true ballhawk.
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It's easy to say this in retrospect, but I'm going to do it anyway: Ed Reed falling to 24th in the 2002 NFL Draft is among the most baffling outcomes in draft history. In his five years at Miami (one redshirt season) Reed essentially had a neon sign floating over his head reading, 'OBVIOUS HALL OF FAMER,' that I can't believe any NFL team ignored.
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Reed was a four-year starter, a two-time First Team All-American, and 2001 Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He set the school record for interceptions (21, tied for fourth-most in FBS history), had 389 interception return yards, and scored four defensive touchdowns. He played centerfield coverage better than anyone in the country, yet was just as dominant when it came time to fill a running lane and light someone up. He was even a special teams force, blocking four punts in his career!
If all that isn't enough for you, Reed also graduated before his senior season, and was a Big East Champion javelin thrower. Miami went 41-8 in his four full seasons, capped by winning the national championship in 2001 with a group widely recognized as one of the greatest college football teams ever. He wasn't "just" a star player on that team, either - he was its heartbeat. Ed Reed is about as close to being a perfect football player as the game has ever had. Just ask Bill Belichick.
Again: I recognize that it's easy to heap all of this praise in hindsight. All I'm asking is that you watch the video I just dropped of all 21 Reed's interceptions at Miami and see if you come to a different conclusion:
