Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
He's a 6-foot-4, 315-pound rock in the middle of the University of Alabama defense, nearly immovable with the size and strength to close holes and the mobility to disrupt throwing lanes.
Jarran Reed is a large man on a defensive line of large men, yet largely an unknown to the Crimson Tide faithful. He doesn't do interviews, but his production on a talented Alabama front seven makes him difficult to ignore.
His 52 tackles rank fifth on the defense and first among UA defensive linemen. The 15-tackle night on the road against LSU is a team season-high for tackles in a single game, a superlative usually reserved for middle linebackers or strong safeties.
Jarran Reed leads the defensive line with 52 tackles.
The junior from Goldsboro, N.C., by way of East Mississippi Community College came to the program with his junior college teammate D.J. Pettway, and the pair haven't disappointed.
Reed immediately contributed but especially hit his stride the second half of the season. On and off the field he's a larger-than-life person.
"Jarran Reed has a very explosive personality, and I mean that in a positive way," sophomore defensive end Jonathan Allen said. "He's always on the upbeat. He's always bringing guys who are down, up. He's a great, positive guy to have in the locker room.
"I wouldn't say (he's) in your face. I would say outgoing would probably be a better term. He's very outgoing. I feel like that's something we need on the d-line. We need guys to step up and speak and challenge guys. I feel like he's done a great job this year leading us."
The big No. 90 is a consistent performer on an accomplished and deep defensive line that regularly rotates six guys (Reed, Allen, Pettway, A'Shawn Robinson, Dalvin Tomlinson and Brandon Ivory) in and out, not including outside linebackers (Denzel Devall, Xzavier Dickson and Ryan Anderson) that also play with their hand down on the line.
Some observers say Reed could forego his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft.
"He's meant a lot to the defensive line," Allen said. "We feel like him and A'Shawn (Robinson) have been the rock-solid core for our defensive line. Those two guys have been very important to our defensive line as a whole this year."
That line will be tested against an Ohio State offense that ranks 10th nationally in rushing with 5.78 yards per carry. The rushing attack is led by sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott, a 6-foot, 225-pounder with 12 rushing touchdowns and 1,402 yards.
Of course a big part of the Buckeyes running game was lost when starting quarterback J.T. Barrett was lost for the season with a fractured ankle.
Allen said the Ohio State offense reminds him a little of Alabama's SEC West most immediate neighbor.
"Them and Mississippi State do kind of similar things in a way," Allen said. "But in a way, they're completely different. Some of the formations they run it out of (are similar)."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1717106#sthash.lSVVPYRp.dpuf
TideSports.com Senior Writer
He's a 6-foot-4, 315-pound rock in the middle of the University of Alabama defense, nearly immovable with the size and strength to close holes and the mobility to disrupt throwing lanes.
Jarran Reed is a large man on a defensive line of large men, yet largely an unknown to the Crimson Tide faithful. He doesn't do interviews, but his production on a talented Alabama front seven makes him difficult to ignore.
His 52 tackles rank fifth on the defense and first among UA defensive linemen. The 15-tackle night on the road against LSU is a team season-high for tackles in a single game, a superlative usually reserved for middle linebackers or strong safeties.
Jarran Reed leads the defensive line with 52 tackles.
The junior from Goldsboro, N.C., by way of East Mississippi Community College came to the program with his junior college teammate D.J. Pettway, and the pair haven't disappointed.
Reed immediately contributed but especially hit his stride the second half of the season. On and off the field he's a larger-than-life person.
"Jarran Reed has a very explosive personality, and I mean that in a positive way," sophomore defensive end Jonathan Allen said. "He's always on the upbeat. He's always bringing guys who are down, up. He's a great, positive guy to have in the locker room.
"I wouldn't say (he's) in your face. I would say outgoing would probably be a better term. He's very outgoing. I feel like that's something we need on the d-line. We need guys to step up and speak and challenge guys. I feel like he's done a great job this year leading us."
The big No. 90 is a consistent performer on an accomplished and deep defensive line that regularly rotates six guys (Reed, Allen, Pettway, A'Shawn Robinson, Dalvin Tomlinson and Brandon Ivory) in and out, not including outside linebackers (Denzel Devall, Xzavier Dickson and Ryan Anderson) that also play with their hand down on the line.
Some observers say Reed could forego his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft.
"He's meant a lot to the defensive line," Allen said. "We feel like him and A'Shawn (Robinson) have been the rock-solid core for our defensive line. Those two guys have been very important to our defensive line as a whole this year."
That line will be tested against an Ohio State offense that ranks 10th nationally in rushing with 5.78 yards per carry. The rushing attack is led by sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott, a 6-foot, 225-pounder with 12 rushing touchdowns and 1,402 yards.
Of course a big part of the Buckeyes running game was lost when starting quarterback J.T. Barrett was lost for the season with a fractured ankle.
Allen said the Ohio State offense reminds him a little of Alabama's SEC West most immediate neighbor.
"Them and Mississippi State do kind of similar things in a way," Allen said. "But in a way, they're completely different. Some of the formations they run it out of (are similar)."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1717106#sthash.lSVVPYRp.dpuf
