Arizona offeree Q&A: Update from 3-star LB Malik Reed

When I spoke with 3-star Chandler High School linebacker Malik Reed in February, he was sitting on four offers: Arizona, Wisconsin, Indiana and Yale. For the most part he was under the radar.

A lot has changed in two months.

After having great showings at some camps, Reed’s recruitment is starting to pick up some steam.

Read on for that, and other updates from the Chandler standout.

AZ Desert Swarm: Since the last time we spoke, your recruitment has taken another step up. Nebraska, Wazzu and UCLA have offered. How do those offers stack up with the ones you’d previously gotten?

Malik Reed: “It feels great getting offers from Nebraska, Wazzu and UCLA. They were all big for me. They stack up well with the others. However, I still have a lot of love for schools like U of A, Wisconsin and Indiana.”

AZDS: You also took a visit to UCLA since we last spoke. How was that visit for you and how did it compare to your previous visits to Arizona?

Reed: “The energy at UCLA was just different, you know, being in California and all. Then the practice they had a really high intensity level. I’ve also enjoyed every visit I’ve taken to Arizona. I finally got to see a practice and I was really impressed.”

AZDS: What impressed you about the Arizona visit? How was seeing the staff in action and seeing the new indoor facility in person?

Reed: “The new indoor facility is definitely one of the best I’ve ever seen. I really liked the energy and intensity of the practice, everyone was hustling. Getting to see the staff again was also great.”

AZDS: How has your relationship progressed with Arizona’s staff since your last visit? Who do you have the best relationship with on the staff?

Reed: “My relationship with them has progressed really well. I would say I probably have the best relationship with (special teams coach Jeremy) Springer.”

AZDS: You are pretty much a veteran when it comes to visiting U of A. What was it like sharing this most recent experience with teammate Gunner Maldonado, who hasn’t been to Tucson as much and is also getting recruited by Arizona?

Reed: “It’s cool. I’ve really been wanting to show Gunner around U of A for awhile now. I’ve been telling him how cool it is down there and it was great to finally get him there.”

AZDS: What was it like sharing that experience with players like Salpointe Catholic safety Lathan Ransom?

Reed: “It’s great to get to talk to Lathan, we’re close friends. It’s always cool to link up at U of A!”

AZDS: What other visits do you have planned, or places you want to visit, in the coming months?

Reed: “I just have a visit planned to Nebraska for their spring game. That’s it for now.”

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When it comes to Arizona in Reed’s recruitment, it has done a great job and has built a really solid relationship with him. When I spoke to him in February, he had very positive things to say about Kevin Sumlin’s staff and the school. Time has only strengthened Reed’s positivity towards the ‘Cats.

Reed has a very strong relationship with Springer, as mentioned above. Last time we spoke, he also mentioned his connection with inside receivers coach Taylor Mazzone and cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin.

As of now, the major competition for Arizona is UCLA. The Bruins have done a great job so far in his recruitment and should be near the top with Arizona until the end.

Reed’s recruitment will be an interesting one to watch, and one Arizona fans should monitor closely as things move along.

To see AZ Desert Swarm’s first interview with Reed, visit azdsrecruiting.weebly.com, under the “Writer Blogs” section.

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