JAMES REED

James Reed played on some outstanding high school football teams at Saginaw High School and helped the Trojans win the school’s first Saginaw Valley League title since 1951. Reed, a 6-foot, 240-pound linebacker for the Trojans, received All-Area and All-State honors his senior year in 1996 after recording 117 tackles, 10 sacks and two interceptions. Reed received a scholarship to Iowa State University where he blossomed  into a four-year starter at defensive tackle, and was a three-time All Big-12 Conference selection. Reed was selected as Iowa State’s defensive lineman MVP in 1997 and in 2000 he earned the school Knudson Award after being named the Cyclones’ defensive MVP. His 333 career tackles puts him in the top 10 all-time in Iowa State University history and he helped ISU to their first bowl win ever. Reed clocked a 4.68-second 40-yard dash time during the NFL combine and the 286-pound defensive lineman ultimately was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round – the 206th overall selection. He would go on to play five years for the Jets (2001-05), two years with the Kansas City Chiefs (2006-07), and one year with the New Orleans Saints (2008). During his eight-year National Football League career he chalked up 199 tackles (139 solo, 60 assisted) and seven sacks in 99 total games. His best season came in 2005 with the Jets when he started 15 games and recorded 65 total tackles – including 44 solo stops. His career came to a halt in 2009 after tearing his Achilles tendon. He is now a married father of three and lives in Texas. Reed and a friend founded the Texas Skills Academy, working with Next Level Athletes – an organization that trains top prospects in Texas.