NFL Draft Diamonds Free Agent Interview: Thomas Reed III, Defensive Lineman
Hello, I am @jrberendzen on Twitter and this is one of my free agent interviews where I ask very deserving free agents questions about the players themselves and about what a team would get in these players. All of these players should get picked up by NFL, CFL, and XFL teams and get a shot at being a career football player. So I hope you all read his interview and follow his journey on Twitter @Official_TReed
1.What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?
I decided to be a football player because as a kid, I enjoyed hitting other kids and running around. Credit goes to my Father, Richard Reed who decided to put me in football. As I got older, I fell in love with the game more and wanted to learn more. I saw my blessing that I had so I took it and ran with it. As a man now, I love the game and I love what it taught me on and off the field.
2.What is one skill that you have that you think can translate into the NFL well?
One skill I can translate is versatility. I’ve played Defensive End/OLB in college. I also long snap in college, I am willing to be on Kick off, Kick return, Punt return, etc. I am also learning another position, just in case another opportunity presents itself.
3.If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?
That is a really tough question because I have hung out, trained, and/or met with a lot of football players with a lot of different personalities. Paxton Lynch, Deyon Sizer, Jon Harris, Davion Taylor, Justin Simmons, Bisi Johnson, Joshua Miller, Dymonte Thomas, and list continues. They are all great people to be around.
4.What is your mindset when you are on the football field?
My mindset is lock in, get done what needs to get done, and fix your mistakes. Focusing on detail while in game sometimes has helped me because I know in the game of football, every inch and detail matters. If I make a mistake, I need to self correct or make the adjustment on the sideline so I don’t put the team in a bad position next opportunity and/or possession.
5.What sets you apart from other edge rushers?
What separates me is explosiveness, playing the run, and trust. Being on the line, you have to be able to get off the ball regardless if it’s run or pass. Being explosive and firing off the ball can help put yourself and/or teammates in position to make plays just based on your first or second step. If a coach needs someone to step in, play the run, and play my technique, it can get done. I have worked and developed skills in that area as well as working on other areas. That is where the coaches and/or teammates trust comes into play.
6.What is your favorite workout?
I like to hang/power clean, bench, squat and those things, but I really like to do a lot of the mobility and stability exercises for the body. Recovery for my body is very important to me.
7.What do you think are the keys to success on the football field?
Keys to success on the field is consistency, team chemistry, attention to detail, and focus.
8.What has been your biggest challenge in life?
Most of my challenges have been personal challenges. One of the toughest I’d say was my freshman year of college. Freshman year, I was working 4 jobs, going to school full time, playing football full time, helping my mother and family while my father was on dialysis for his Kidney Disease (FSGS). I had to step up and get things done.
9.Rank focus,footwork and skill based on what is most important to you as a football player and explain why?
In order, I personally would rank focus first. No matter talent wise, if you can not lock in mentally and focus on your craft, you will struggle reaching full potential. Then, I would rank footwork. At any level, if you have great skill but can’t move your feet or be productive with your feet or keep your feet in movement, the skill is useless and now you can not make plays. Footwork and foot placement is an important key. Last I would rank skill. The more skill and utilities you have in your belt at a position, the better you become. You can never stop learning and/or developing skill, especially when it’s taught differently by different coaches.
10.What would a team get in a player like you?
A team would be getting a player who focuses on detail, versatility, a person who holds themselves accountable, and does what needs to get done for the team and organization on the field. They would also get someone they would have to represent the organization well off the field. I will continue to give back and make change for the community as I do now.
11.What do you hope to achieve as a football player going forward?
One of the things I want to achieve as a football player is to play at a high level and contribute the athletic ability/blessing that I have. Next, continue to be a role model, make change and better our communities. A lot of football players have the power and opportunity to and I want to take full advantage of the chance. Last, Put my family at peace and in a better position. Through all the struggles my family has been through and continuing to go through, them watching me playing this game puts them at peace, then I want to continue that peace for them.
12.What is one moment in your football career that you think improved you the most as a football player?
Senior year of college. I have dealt with growth in a lot of ways as a young athlete through high school and college, but senior year is when I realized every detail I need to know will help me improve and hopefully have an opportunity at the next level. I could not take those practices, walk through, games, film sessions for granted. I definitely developed and improved from junior to senior year. Now as a free agent, and coming out last year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I had a whole year to get stronger, faster, smarter, and better. If I have an opportunity, I will be better than I was my senior season at Adams State University.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com