Southern Miss lands DB

Although cornerback Kalan Reed of Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian tore the ACL in his left knee in Week 3 last season, Southern Miss never lost interest in him.

"They were on me my junior year, even when I was hurt and not playing," Reed said. "I even went down there hobbling to their games. When I went down there I could barely walk."

On Wednesday, Reed rewarded the Golden Eagles for sticking with him.

"I called [assistant coach Grady Brown] today and committed," Reed said. "He put me on the phone with the rest of the coaches. They were excited. They told me to be ready to get playing time early."

Reed has four offers. In the end, Southern Miss got the nod over South Alabama.

"They were the first school that ever recruited me," Reed said. "I went down there my junior year, then went for a three-day camp this summer. I think it's nice. It's like a little community. There's a family environment there. I know they're always going to be good. They have a winning mentality and don't expect less."

Last year's injury sidelined Reed for much of the season. He said Wednesday he is fully recovered.

"I think I'm better now," Reed said. "I know I'm faster. And I just recorded my highest vertical jump earlier this summer."

Keith Niebuhr can be reached at kneebs01@aol.com. You can follow him on Twitter @KeithRIVALS.