Reed awaits next step in football future

If David Reed spent the last two years catching balls in the Big 10 or the Southeastern Conference, he might be a little better known.

But the New London High School and University of Utah product is certainly known by National Football League coaches, scouts and personnel people.

Reed, a former All-State player at New London, is expected to be a mid-to-late-round pick in the NFL draft, which begins tonight.

"I've just been working and trying to leave whatever happens in God's hands," Reed said last week in a telephone conversation. "I'm not really worried about it too much. I just can't wait to get it going and play football again."

The 6-foot-1 inch, 195-pound wide receiver is a favorite of ESPN draft expert Todd McShay, who said Reed could go as high as the third round.

Reed, the older brother of former New London quarterback and current University of Florida tight end Jordan Reed, scored 20 touchdowns and led the Whalers to the Class S state title game in his one season at New London (2005).

He ended up at Pasadena (Calif.) City College and set a national junior college record with 111 receptions in his second year. Reed broke every game, single-season and career reception record at the school before moving on to pass-happy Utah.

He caught a touchdown pass in the Utes' Sugar Bowl upset win over Alabama in 2009 and caught 81 passes for 1,188 yards and five touchdowns in his senior season.

"He's come a long way," former New London coach Jack Cochran said of Reed. "He persevered. He beat all the odds. He had to go the hard way about it and he did."

Reed was invited to last month's NFL combine in Indianapolis, where he spent the better part of a week running through drills and getting poked and prodded by NFL types. He ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine and lowered it to 4.52 at Utah's pro day.

"That was pretty crazy," he said of the combine. "It was an experience I won't forget. It was awesome, though. I enjoyed it and I think I showcased my talent somewhat."

What Reed lacks in size, he makes up for by running good routes and catching everything thrown his way. He's also versatile, with the ability to return both punts and kicks. With his penchant for absorbing hits, Reed projects as a slot receiver in the pros.

"He should develop into a very good No. 3 receiver at the next level and is worth the investment late in Round 3," McShay said on ESPN.

Reed, who'll be in Connecticut with his family for the draft, hasn't done any private workouts, but he has had contact with a number of teams and visited the Jets facility in Long Island recently.

"I'm a football player," Reed said. "This is the next step. I feel like anybody can get this chance I got. It's what you do with it. I still have a lot to prove. I'm trying to not get too excited, but I know I'll be real excited when I crack that 53 (man roster) and I'm playing in games on Sunday."

o.poole@theday.com