With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.
In this edition, we examine Chandler (AZ) High School linebacker, Malik Reed.
Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com
Reed chose Wisconsin over other offers from: Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, Oregon State, Purdue, UCLA, and Washington State
Reed’s High School Accolades: Three–star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…First–team all–state as a senior in 2019
Reed’s Impact as a Badger: This will mark the sixth recruiting class Paul Chryst has overlooked as Reed will represent the fourth player he has signed from the state of Arizona in that time span.
Although Wisconsin doesn’t receive many commitments from Arizona the Badgers success rate has been good so far. Considering the other three players to sign with Wisconsin are quarterback Kare Lyles, defensive end Garrett Rand, and long snapper Adam Bay. Lyles transferred out of Wisconsin after two seasons as he’s now with Southern Illinois but both Rand and Bay are starters at their respective positions and have played key roles since their arrival in Madison.
Reed who is projected to play inside linebacker in Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense is a physical linebacker. Reed’s physicality from the inside linebacker position comes from him playing with a high motor allowing him to make his way into the opponents backfield.
Reed has also lined up at the outside linebacker position too allowing him to make plays from sideline to sideline, utilizing his speed to make a play from the linebacker spot.
Reed like fellow inside linebacker commit Jordan Turner has the physical tools to have success in Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense it’s just a matter of him putting it all together under position coach Bob Bostad. Reed like most high school athletes entering college will need to continue to gain strength to allow him to hold up in Wisconsin’s defense but of the incoming recruits he is put together well.
The speed and athleticism Reed possesses should allow him to have success in pass coverage. He’ll need to continue to gain a comfort with dropping back to cover passes but with repetition and learning from his past mistakes in this area he’ll have a chance to succeed in pass coverage.
It may take Reed a year or two before he is able to see the field but that will also allow him to gain the comfort he needs in Wisconsin’s defense. As soon as he can play and rely on his instinct and not overthink things on defense will allow him to make plays for the Badger defense.