While he is expected to be a first-round pick along with quite a few other defensive linemen, Jarran Reed believes he has ways to stand out among the competition.
Just a shade more than 300 pounds, Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed is one of the best interior defensive linemen in this year's draft class.
Reed's a natural run-stopper who causes havoc for any offense trying to operate their ground game up the heart of a defense he's featured on.
But that's not to say that Reed doesn't believe he could also be an aggressor to quarterbacks on occasion, too.
"It was the system we played in," Reed said, referring to the fact he tallied just two sacks at Alabama. "Run-first, then-covert-to-pass system, but I did apply pressure on the quarterback. I definitely hit the quarterback, I definitely got sacks, too."
In his two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Reed appeared in 29 games, totaling 112 tackles with seven passes defensed, two sacks and a fumble recovery while earning Associated Press second-team All-SEC honors.
Reed is one of several projected first-round picks from Alabama this year.
Linebacker Reggie Ragland – whom Reed also participated with at the Senior Bowl – and fellow defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson are also expected to go on the first night of the draft.
While Reed is a slight different player than Robinson (who weighs the same but is an inch taller), the Goldsboro, N.C., believes the pair are actually a little bit closer in style than most think.
"We kind of mimic each other's game," Reed said. "We're kind of similar. I haven't really looked at the differences from one another because we both have great effort, we both play relentless and we both play physical."
Check out images of defensive lineman Jarran Reed during his collegiate career at Alabama.
Reed started his college career at East Mississippi Community College, where he earned NJCAA All-Region honors in 2013.
He had his choice in a number of schools, but the choice to attend Alabama was pretty easy from the get-go.
"It was a real easy decision. Alabama's the best of the best," Reed said. "Coach Saban does a good job, from growing up to be a man, helping us become better football players, instilling discipline in us. We have a great program at the University of Alabama. It's all very structured and very disciplined."
Considered one of the strongest defensive line crops in NFL Draft history, the differences between the first defensive lineman taken and one later down the draft could be minimal, but Reed believes he can stand out.
Just how, though?
"The ability to get sideline-to-sideline, bring down quarterbacks, make plays outside the tackle box. It definitely shows versatility and athleticism from my standpoint," Reed said. "And I try to really showcase that a lot."
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