Kyler Reed - Huskers.com

SENIOR PROFILES
By Connor Stange, Nebraska Media Relations
“Kyler’s leadership has grown. His confidence has
grown in the way he’s been this year. He’s been much
more vocal this year and demanding of the guys to
play to the high standards that we need guys to. I’m
very fortunate to have (him) on our team.”
--Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck
24
This season, Nebraska has one of the best
tight end tandems in the country with a pair
of seniors leading the way. One of those tight
ends is Kyler Reed.
The 6-3 senior, along with Ben Cotton,
combined for 65 catches and 972 yards
over the last three seasons. However, Reed
isn’t thinking about the last three seasons,
he’s focusing on this season, when he has
grabbed eight passes for 107 yards and
one touchdown.
“I try to get better at everything,” Reed
said. “I try to get better at my craft; blocking
6-3 l 230 l te
and catching balls. I try to be a better leader. I
try to speak up a little more than I did before.”
shawnee, kan.
Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck has taken
notice of Reed’s increased vocal presence on the team.
“Kyler’s leadership has grown. His confidence has grown in the way he’s been this
year,” Beck said. “He’s been much more vocal this year and demanding of the guys
to play to the high standards that we need guys to.”
Reed has been a leader not only on the football field, but off it as well. Last spring
the Shawnee, Kan., native was named to the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team for
the second time in his career - a reward for his extensive community outreach work.
Reed tries to stay as involved in the community as his schedule allows.
“We have a really good Life Skills program here. A lot of guys on the team work
with Keith Zimmer and go to hospital visits, go to schools, greet the kids and hang
out with little kids who have cancer,” Reed said. “I try to do as much of that as I can.”
When Reed was a kid, he looked up to Terrell Davis as an inspiration on the football
field. Reed started playing flag football in second grade, mostly as running back and
quarterback before playing some defense in fifth and sixth grade.
Reed attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kan., playing a
wide range of positions on both offense and defense, including running back, wide
receiver, safety, fullback and defensive back. Declared one of the best prospects
in Kansas by Rivals and Scout, Reed earned first-team all-state honors as a senior,
leading his team to the state semifinals and an 8-4 record.
Reed came to Nebraska in 2008, redshirting in his first season. He switched
between tight end and linebacker during the season before ultimately choosing tight
end. The next season, Reed played in 11 games, making six catches for 54 yards.
As a sophomore, Reed had a breakout season, setting the school record for
touchdown catches by a tight end with eight. Playing in all 14 games and making 10
starts, Reed made a total of 22 catches for 395 yards, good for third on the team.
His longest reception was a 79-yard touchdown grab at Kansas State.
Last season, Reed made 15 receptions for 257 yards in 12 games. His lone
touchdown reception came against Iowa in the regular-season finale. Reed said he’s
improved substantially since first arriving in Lincoln in 2008.
“I became a smarter football player,” Reed said of his time at Nebraska. “I’ve gained
some weight, gained some strength, gotten more explosive just by working with Coach
(James) Dobson and his (strength) staff. As a freshman, your knowledge of the game
is nothing like it should be, so I’ve just gained a lot of knowledge.”
Reed will use that knowledge in his final season as a Husker, looking to provide a
voice on offense and lead the team in its pursuit of a Big Ten championship.
Favorite food?
Barbecue.
Item you can’t live without?
Xbox.
Favorite movie?
Saving Private Ryan.
Favorite TV show?
Dexter.
Favorite pro team?
Kansas City Chiefs.
Favorite pro athlete?
Terrell Davis.